Sometimes I think that I own Harry Potter. Then sanity intervenes and I realize that I am not, in fact, JK Rowling. Darn.

This is another perspective on the wizarding world and the events in the Harry Potter series. While I do have an OFC, she is not perfect, is not in a relationship with any canon character, and does not directly influence the plot of the books in any way, shape, or form. In short, she is not a Mary Sue.

This fanfic adheres strictly to canon, and I double checked many of my facts at the HP Lexicon.

September 1, 1994

Dear Mum,

As promised, I'm writing to let you know I got to school safely. I swear no boogie men attacked me on the train.

I didn't have any problems once I got through the barrier. The train is so cool. It's a shame you, Dad, and Lin couldn't see it. I'll send my pictures once I get them developed.

Anyway, I got there early enough to get my own compartment, and a few other girls joined me. Most of them are new also, but one, Mina, is a second year from Hufflepuff house. She can do real magic, just like that ministry wizard at orientation. She told us a lot about Hogwarts.

All of us already knew some, of course. We had that book and the lecture from the ministry, and a couple of the other girls' parents and siblings went there too, but Mina gave us some pointers, just like cousin Alex used to do for me when I started a new grade.

Hogwarts itself is spooky. It looks like a cathedral crossed with a fairytale palace made into a little kids' haunted house. It even has ghosts! I couldn't see much at first because we first years rode to the castle in boats, (they're propelled by magic, not oars or motors!) and it was pouring rain. I wish our uniforms included umbrellas, because we got soaked. One of the boys even fell out of the boat! He's okay—something pushed him back in. (I don't know what it was, and I'm too afraid to ask.)

Once we got into the castle, we got sorted into houses immediately. A hat made the decision, just like the book said. I know Dad thinks it's a puppet, but I'm sure it's not. It sat on a stool and sang a song. No one could have been controlling it from below, and I didn't see any strings.

I got put into Ravenclaw, along with Dee (short for Medea) and Orla. (They rode on the train with me.) Can you tell Linda for me that pink is not a house color, of any house? Ravenclaw is blue and bronze, not pink.

The feast was really good. I don't think I'll have to eat again for a week. The best thing is that no one had to clean up, because the old food and stuff just vanished. I wish it worked like that at home; washing dishes blows.

Afterwards, the headmaster said something about quid-itch being canceled. I think that's a sport, so no big loss. Hogwarts is also going to host something called the triwizard tournament. More sports. No big gain.

I'm staying in the Ravenclaw tower. It's nice and cozy and decorated in blue and bronze. I'm sharing a room with Orla, Dee, and a couple other first year girls, but I have a big canopy bed. It's really comfy.

I probably should go to sleep. Classes start tomorrow.

Love you,

Liss

P.S. Give Lin the Chocolate Frog I sent, and tell her to be careful because they try to escape.

P.P.S. I'm sorry about the ink splotches. It's hard to get used to writing with a quill. I miss my pencils.