A/N: Hello everyone, this is my first HP fan fiction! If you're confused as to why they are in England but she calls her mother 'mom' instead of 'mum', it's because she moved there fairly recently from America. I'll bring it up later when all those British kids get confused over it in the story. There will be some canonical errors, such as Dumbledore being alive in a Modern!Hogwarts AU. I hope you guys will enjoy it all the same!

Tap tap.

"Huh?"

Looking up, there's a barn owl on my windowsill. I'm confused. Aren't owls nocturnal? This is bizarre. Even more so, there's a letter attached to its leg.

"MOOOOOOM!"

My mom and dad come running up the stairs. They look confused and scared. I probably shouldn't have yelled. Whoops.

"What is it Maria?"

"WHY IS THERE AN OWL ON MY WINDOW?" I jab my finger towards the avian creature, and they look shocked. "More importantly, it has a letter too?"

"W-we're not sure, but maybe we should let it in." Mom and Dad give each other a sideways glance, and cautiously approach the window.

With shaking fingers, Dad openings it. The owl flutters in, and seems to fluff up. It looks to be proud of itself.

Dad takes the letter from its leg. There's a large red seal that keeps it closed. It appears to be made of wax. There is an emblem on both the seal and the envelope. It has a bird, a honey badger, a lion, and a snake. It says 'Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry' on below.

My eyes sparkle with anticipation. I've read those books, those tales of magic. I always thought in my heart that magic was real. I knew that Rowling wasn't making up fantasy!

"M… Mom, Dad… This isn't fake right? You didn't plant this?" I turn towards them, and they look just as shocked as I am.

"N-no we didn't. If this is real Maria… Congratulations," My father breathes.

Opening the letter while trying not to break the wax, I read the letters content.

Dear Miss Maria Greenberg,

We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

"…I can go, right guys?" I give them a hopeful smile, and their eyes are sparkling with tears.

"Of course you can dear. But, you must write us letters so we know you don't get into trouble!

"Yeah, yeah, I know!"

My older brother dashes into my room. "WHAT SHE'S GOING TO HOGWARTS WHY NOT ME" He's 13, and wanted to go to Hogwarts ever since we had read the books at a young age. Disappointment when he was 11 would have been a bit of an understatement.

"Magic seems to act in strange ways with DNA, Peter. I'm sure that if you got in, however, you would be in Gryffindor."
"Do you think I can get into Gryffindor Mom?" I'm a little scared. I've never been the bravest, and I really don't want to go into Slytherin. Snape is from there, and I really don't like him. He's a meanie. A meanie weenie."
Mom giggles. "Maria, you shouldn't say that. Respect the dead."

"Okayyy…" I pout.

"Well, it's time for us to send our response back, isn't it? We have to, as otherwise you won't be able to go!"