"Loser!"

"Freak!"

A group of older kids stood around me in the parking lot of my high school. Taunting. Teasing. They had found out my secret. At least it was the last day of school. At least I had three months of quiet before I had to come back. Before the teasing set back in.

"You're a freak, Anna!" Yelled the tall girl in the group. "You don't belong here! You should just leave!" She scowled at me, gripping a fair-sized rock tightly in her fist.

Just as the others joined in there was a screech. My head shot up to the sky to see a brilliant gray owl swoop down and release an envelope from her large talons. The envelope floated down landing swiftly in my lap. I picked it up, reading the front. Miss Annabelle Roland. Solarna High parking lot, Row C.

I sat, baffled by the envelope in my hand. How could anyone know my exact location at this exact time? Or have an owl deliver a letter for that matter? Still, I had to admit to myself that it was kinda cool. I turned it over, ignoring the comments from the small group still surrounding me, and peeled the letter open carefully, pulling out the neatly folded letter.

Dear Miss Roland, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I mouthed along while reading the letter silently to myself. Finally aware of the voices in the background, I heard the tall girl yell out, "Are you even listening to me?!"

Now, I don't remember seeing her throw the rock. I don't remember seeing it fly through the air. All I remember is a sharp pain in my forehead and the feeling of a warm sticky fluid dripping down my face. What happened next was beyond my control.

"Mom?" I sat my bag down, holding my head as I shut the door. "Mom, I'm home!" I walked to the kitchen grabbing a cloth to wipe the blood off my face.

"What happened to you?" Mom stood in the doorway to the kitchen with her arms crossed, her usual scowl on her face. Ever since the accident, my mother hadn't been able to stand me. Everyone knew it. Especially me. "Other kids find out you're weird?"

I sighed heavily, wishing for some sort of sympathy. "Mom, I got a really weird letter today." I held my breath cautiously, hoping for the best. A new school. For people like me. "It's an acceptance letter for some foreign school. It's for people... like me."

My mom snorted a laugh. "Great. A school of freaks. And where is this freak school?"

"England. I'd be staying there for the year. It's a boarding school."

My mom's eyes suddenly lit up. "Yeah, sure, whatever you want dear. Need help packing?"

I sighed heavily, turning to my mom and holding the cloth to my head. "Mom, It's June. School doesn't start til August. I still have to write a reply letter. Although I have no clue how to send it."

"Well how did you get the one they sent?" She leaned back against the doorway, a now blank, almost bored, expression creeping over her slightly wrinkled face.

"Well..." I dabbed my head with the cloth, not sure if my mom would believe me if I told her the truth. "An owl dropped it in my lap."

My mom just stood there, staring at me for a moment before bursting into laughter. "Are you kidding me?! An owl, Anna? Really?"

I grumbled to myself quietly, turning back to face the sink. "I'm not kidding, Mom. It flew down and dropped the letter in my lap."

My mom scoffed and shrugged. "And where do you suppose we find one of these, 'carrier owls'?" In the blink of an eye, the brilliant gray bird from earlier perched itself on the small tree right outside the kitchen window. My mom stammered for a minute, staring at the bird before making a "hrumph" noise and turning to leave. She stopped in the doorway, grumbling to herself before snapping a, "If you're keeping that thing, you better cage it."

A small smile formed on my face as I slowly walked over to the back door and opened it, stepping quietly outside and toward the tree. I held out my hand as I got closer, not wanting to scare the owl with any sudden movements. I noticed on the ground was another envelope, just like the first. I bent down to pick it up, opening it carefully. This time though, the letter was different. Hand written and definitely not in the best penmanship. Dear Miss Roland, You must be scared, lost, confused in these times. Let me help. The owl is yours. Name her what you will. Look to the sky on the night of July 10. Pack wisely. Hogwarts can get cold at night. -George

George? Who's George? He mentioned Hogwarts though... But how does he know who I am? Maybe he works at Hogwarts? I shook my head and held out my hand once more. This time the beautiful, majestic bird lifted her wings and hopped gracefully onto my outstretched arm, cooing lightly as she did so.

Smiling to myself, I ran through names in my head for her. I stroked the feathers on the back of her neck as I thought, finally stopping as I thought of a beautiful name to fit the bird perfectly. "Lyla." She cocked her head, cooing and watching me as if agreeing to the name.

I sat outside on my front porch, bags packed, watching Lyla flying around the front yard. Here we were, the night of July 10th and I couldn't wait to leave. Also, I was curious as to who this 'George' was who had written me the letter and given me Lyla.

I loud roaring sound and one bright headlight snapped me back to reality, though and looking ahead of me, peering into the light I saw a large figure looming toward me. My breath caught in my throat as fear gripped me. Suddenly, a large, rather hairy man stepped into view and with a rough, but kind face, he smiled at me.

"Well, aren't you a pretty young thing! Much different from what I expected anyway." He reached down and picked up both suitcases in one hand, walked back over, and plopped them on the back of his... motorcycle? Bike? Flying machine? Whatever it was, it was noisy.

"S-sorry," I choked out, swallowing the lump in my throat. "Do... Do I know you?"

"Ah..." The man rubbed the back of his neck and sighed lightly. "No, I suppose not. My name is Hagrid. Keeper of keys and grounds at Hogwarts. Also, One of the young Weasley boys asked me to escort you to the ministry."

I ruffled my eyebrows, confused. "The ministry? And who is 'Weasley'?" I shook my head as Lyla landed on the rail around the porch, cooing softly.

"Ah... Sorry. I forgot. This is all new for you, eh? The Ministry of Magic is going to board you until you leave for Hogwarts. It's like the... Ah... What is it ye Americans have? Government? But for us magic folk. And as for the young Weasley boy..." Hagrid thought for a minute, stroking his unruly beard. "The Weasley's are a rather big family, eh? One of the twin boys wanted to help out with one of his father's jobs. Now, was it Fred or George? Ah well. Not that it matters. But he took up your case right quick. He should be about your age. But, I'm sure he can tell you the rest." He smiled down at my confused, blank expression. "Shall we? Oh. Hello pretty bird." Hagrid reached out to pat Lyla on the head. "Ye got a cage for this'n don't ye?"

I nodded, silently, pointing to the small, rusted, metal cage on the step next to me.

"Silent type, eh? Well, that cage'll never do for a fine owl." Hagrid reached in his coat and pulled out a fine, shiny, new cage and opened the door, allowing Lyla to fly in. "What's her name, young Miss?"

"L-Lyla." I managed, standing from my spot and taking the outstretched cage from his hand.

"Beautiful name. Well," Hagrid turned toward the vehicle and sat abruptly. "Best be off. It's gettin' rather late. Just hop on the back and we'll get going."

I nodded and sat on the seat behind him with Lyla in her cage between us. I could tell that this journey, adventure, new life, whatever you want to call it, was going to be much better than I had anticipated. And hey. And least I had a little more information on the letter. And on this 'George' guy.

Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. Maybe... Just maybe... This would be kind of fun. I smiled to myself as I felt the machine rise from the ground and shoot into the sky.