I don't own anything from Harry Potter.

"Esa, wake up"

I grumbled "Is the house on fire or something?"

"No."

"Then let me go back to sleep."

"I can't do that"

"Why not?" I asked.

"Because there's someone here to see you."

I cracked open one eye. "What?" I asked. In all of the time I had spent here, no one had ever come to visit me. I didn't have family. There was no one to come.

"You heard me. There's someone here, and they're asking for you."

"This is all a sick joke, isn't it?" I asked.

"Nope. Not even she is that cruel."

The "she" in question is the woman who takes care of us all. You see, I'm an orphan. No one ever told me what happened to my parents, but I know they're never coming to get me. "Do you have any idea of who it might be?" I asked.

"No clue, but she has a funky accent, I can't quite place where it's from though."

"An accent? So she's not from around here?"

"She's not from New York, if that's what you're asking."

I sighed. "Thanks for the heads up May,' I said.

May had been my best friend at the house from the day she arrived. She's only been here for a few years, and I quickly became a big sister to her. That being said, I'm only 11 years old myself.

I got out of bed and walked over to the small dresser I was given for my clothes. I've been here for so long that I got my own. Most of the other girls have to share with at least one other person. I pulled a shirt out of the top drawer. It was my best one, and it was even mostly clean. We didn't get new clothes as often as we should have. Many of the girls didn't even have clothes that really fit. I got dressed quickly and left the room as quietly as I could. It was still early, and I didn't want to wake anyone else up. I wandered towards the stairwell that led to the mother's rooms. This is where visitors are usually brought. I crept up the stairs until I reached a door that had a small window. Peering through the window, I saw an old woman, with an emerald cloak and square glasses. Something about her seemed different, but I couldn't figure out what, or why I felt that way. I heard the woman talking to the mother, I couldn't hear much of what they were saying, but it was clear that the conversation was about me. I heard my name pass both of their lips a few times. After a few minutes, the old woman stood up. She looked frustrated, and I could tell she was getting ready to leave. Panicked, I left the doorway and ran.

I had just returned to the other girls when the door burst open. "Where is she?" A woman's voice boomed through the room.

"Who, Ms. Umhalt?" One girl asked.

"You know who I'm talking about Gloria," Ms. Umhalt said. This was the mother. She kept us here to collect on the money the state gave her. She rarely ever used any of it on us, though. We were pretty much on our own, except for when someone paid us a visit.

"I actually don't know that I do, Ms. Umhalt. You see, there are a lot of girls here. As far as we know, you could be talking to any one of us," Gloria said.

"Shut up Gloria," I muttered under my breath, hoping she would get the hint.

"I'm talking about the little bitch over there." She pointed towards me.

"Me?" I asked.

"Yes, you. Now get your ass over here, someone is here to see you."

I felt someone shove me forward. Great, I was the offering. She was going to take me, everyone else would be safe, but I was being taken to the lions den. I was done for. Solemnly, I followed Ms. Umhalt out of the room, which had gotten unnaturally silent when I moved forward. They knew what was coming as well as I did. We had all been here for a long time. I heard May sniffle. I cast a look back at her, but Ms. Umhalt grabbed my arm and yanked me away before I could find her in the crowd. She dragged me to the room at the top of the stairs, the one I had just run from. She opened the door, and shoved me through.

"Here's the little brat," the nasty woman said.

"Thank you," The woman in the emerald cloak said. "Now, if you could leave us alone for a moment, that would be wonderful."

"I'm afraid I can't do that," Ms. Umhalt tried to stand her ground, but she was no match for the other woman.

"I assure you, Esa will be fine. I need a moment alone with her to talk. With luck, we can leave this rat-hole and never come back."

Did she want to adopt me? I was so confused. Why would she need to speak to me alone? Every conversation that took place between a girl and a prospective adopter took place under the strict observation of Ms. Umhalt.

Ms. Umhalt huffed and turned towards the door. "She had better be fine when I come back," she said.

I had never seen her give up so easily. I looked towards the mysterious woman with a look of awe on my face. She was smiling.

"Come child, we have much to discuss," she said, patting the chair next to hers. Cautiously, I sat down.

"What is this about? Am I in trouble?" I asked.

"No, of course not. Quite the opposite, really."

Now I was really confused.

"My name is Professor McGonagall. I am the headmistress at a school for people like you."

"People like me?" What did that mean? "So there is something wrong with me. You think I'm troubled, don't you?"

"No, absolutely not. It's a school of magic."

I could see what May had been talking about. This Professor lady had a weird accent, something that wasn't from around here. She was also bat-shit crazy.

"Magic?" I asked. "I don't get it. What kind of a prank are you trying to pull? It's not funny."

"I assure you, this is no joke. You are a witch, Esa, and there is a place for you at Hogwarts."

This is my second fan fiction story, please leave me a review of what you think. I love to hear from people about my writing, or suggestions on what I should do. 3