Hello people of the FanFiction universe. This is my first story, so be nice, blah blah blah. Thanks to my amazing beta, aquagirl789. Love you! Enjoy!

"Go to your room! And don't come back down until I say you can!", my "mom" screamed at me. She's not really my mom, but she adopted me 4
years ago when I was 7 because she "wanted to help," but she really wanted someone to pick up after her. I reached my room at the top of the stairs, slammed my door and sank against the wall sobbing. Nothing I ever did was good enough for her. By chance, I glanced at the calendar and noticed that today was my eleventh birthday. I stood up, wiped the tears of my cheeks, and collapsed onto my bed, just laying there, doing nothing. All of a sudden, she knocked on my door. I opened it and was surprised to see that she was pale and trembling, looking more afraid than I've ever seen her before.
"There's an old fogey downstairs waiting to speak to you" she said, trying to sound annoyed, but only succeding in sounding terrified. Curious (as always) I ran downstairs and skidded to a halt in front of a strange man. Even though I had never met him, I was struck by the kindness in his piercing blue eyes that shone from behind his half-moon spectacles.
"Ah, you must be Ms. Taylor." he said pleasantly "I am Professor Dumbledore, of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry". Stunned, I let out a disbelieving laugh.
"Right. And I'm the queen of England", I replied sarcastically. He scrutinized me.
"You don't believe me?" I shook my head emphatically.
"Nope".
"Then allow me to demonstrate". He whipped what looked like a carved stick) from the sleeve of his robe and pointed it at the book on the coffee table. "Wingardium Leviosa". It rose steadily in the air until it reached a height of 5 feet, at which point it stopped and merely hovered.
"You're actually serious".I said, stunned. He nodded. "You really teach at a magic school". He nodded again. "Um, ok, please give me a few moments to regain my grasp of sanity". He chuckled.
"Ms. Taylor I can assure you that Hogwarts does indeed exist. And, in fact, you have been invited to attend. We sent you numerous letters but it appears they have been, shall we say, intercepted". He said with a pointed look at "mom".
"D'you really think I want her going there Dumbledore?" my "mother" snarled. "After all that I went through?" I stared at her.
"Hold on, you're a witch?", I asked disbelievingly.
"As much as I wish I wasn't, yes".
"Why do you wish that?" Her eyes grew cold and hard.
"My husband, who I loved more than life itself, died because of an accidental curse. I may not show it, but, Riley, I have grown to almost care for you in these past years. I didn't know you were a witch until he," casting a scornful look at the professor, "sent those letters." she walked up to Dumbledore and poked him in the chest. "It was your fault Richard died, and I swore I would never forgive you!" Admirably, he stayed calm.
"My dear Mrs. White, it was most assuredly not my fault that your husband died". His voice grew low and almost mournful. "I tried to stop Richard from confronting Voldemort, but he did not heed my warnings. I regret his death almost as much as you do".
"Lies!" she screamed. "All lies! You have no idea what I've been through and you will never know!" He gazed at me.
"Ms. Taylor, I would very much appreciate it if you went to go collect your things". I basically sprinted up the stairs, grabbed a few necessities from the bathroom, shoved some clothes into a backpack and returned to the living room. Predictably, Dumbledore's unreadable gaze fell on me. Unpredictably, my "mom" was no longer shouting and was merely sitting on the couch, like he found a spell or something to make her quiet.
"Well, Ms. Taylor, we will be leaving now. Would you like to say goodbye?"
"Yeah, um, bye", and with one last look at the place that had been my home for the past 4 years, I turned my back on it and left, ecstatic to be out of there. At the edge of the sidewalk, Dumbledore peered up and down the street to make sure no one was watching, then stuck out his right arm. With a great many clanks and crashes, a double-decker bus appeared in front of us. A young pimply kid that looked a few years older than me opened the doors.
"Welcome to the Knight Bus, my name is Stan Shunpike and I'll be your conductor". Suddenly he noticed Dumbledore and his eyes lit up, obviously trying to make himself look more professional in front of Dumbledore.
"Professor! Din't 'spect to see ya here! How's Hogwarts?" Dumbledore smiled kindly at Stan.
"Very good. As you know we are starting a new term next week, so I am helping one of our students purchase supplies for her first year". Stan peered at me intently, as though I was some sort of specimen under a microscope.
"Muggleborn, eh? Told her all about Hogwarts yet professor?"
"No not yet. I was planning on telling her on the bus".
"Um, hello, still here", I said, a bit miffed that they seemed to have forgotten about me, but naturally curious about where we were going and what we were doing and what the heck they were talking about.
"Indeed. Now Ms. Taylor, please come sit with me while I tell you about Hogwarts". We stepped onto the creaky old bus and it was then and there that my life completely changed.

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