Rose Barton lived in a two-bedroom apartment in the heart of muggle London with her family. She didn't have much, but a passionate love for her mother, father, and young sister, Adeline. This love alone is what fueled Rose to wake up at dawn every morning to attend her job of passing newspapers out to the neighbors. Rose tossed an issue of The Daily Mail into each persons lawn on a bike she had gotten for her birthday a few weeks back. The job had crummy pay, but Rose did anything to collect extra money for her family. Only eleven years old, many would say this a shocking occurrence, but Rose's parents tried hard as well, practically slaving away at their jobs day after day.

After distributing the daily papers, Rose dressed as nice as she could possibly manage, and helped her sister out of bed. Adeline was nine years old, sporting thick, in-tamable dirty blonde hair, and freckles that dotted her deep olive skin. Rose always attempted to put her in dresses, but was never able, for Adeline had a stubborn defiance to girly things.

"Come on, Addy," Rose cooed every morning, before ripping off her thick yellow comforter. Adeline and Rose slept in the same bed, with their mother and father in the bed nearby.

Rose's mother, Eloise, was tall and frail, with fair skin and florescent yellow hair, though, small wisps of silvery grey were beginning to appear in streaks along her head. She was very kind and quiet, yet occasionally fiery, while still very enticingly beautiful, and she had a heart. The girls' father, Earl, on the other hand, was loud and booming, with a big personality, and an opinionated mind. He had deep black hair, dark leathery skin, and a powerful stance, giving him authority. Although sometimes being very close-minded, Earl was just as loving as Eloise, would do anything for his family, and was a push-over when it came to his wife.

"Father," began Rose as she walked into the kitchen with Adeline, "do you need any help with breakfast?"

"No, sweetheart," he replied with a sigh, "your mother is at the market buying eggs. I will see you when I get home from work." Mr. Barton gave each daughter a strong kiss on the forehead and said, "stay out of trouble, you two," with a subtle wink at Adeline. He gathered his briefcase, and made his way to the door. Just as his hand reached the knob, it turned under his finger tips. The door opened slowly, as Mrs. Barton stepped in the room. She gave a crooked smile, as she kissed her husband passing through the door. "See you later honey," boomed Mr. Barton, making his way into the hall.

"Wait Earl!" cried Mrs. Barton out the door.

"What is it now sweedums?"

"Rosie's received a letter!" she exclaimed excitedly, "I found it in our box downstairs!"

"From whom?" Mr. Barton asked with a curious expression. Not many people sent letters to the Bartons, unless they were bills or house payments.

"I don't know," replied Mrs. Barton, squinting, "I haven't got my glasses on."

"Well, I'll read it, mother," spoke Rose, "it's my letter, isn't it?"

"Very well," said her mother with a smile. She handed over the letter, hesitantly. Rose examined the envelope. It was thick, heavy, and yellowish in color, with an address written in emerald ink.

Ms. R. Barton
The first bedroom to the right
Room 26
Shell Apartment Buildings
London

There was no stamp, but instead a coat of arms, bearing a lion, an eagle, a badger, and a snake, all surrounding the letter H. Rose shook the package close to her ear and said uneasily, "Whoever send this knows what bedroom I sleep in," looking up at her mother.

"Well," joked Mrs. Barton, trying to defuse the tension, "it's not like we've got many to choose from." Nobody laughed. Slightly offended, she followed with, "Well, are you going to open it or not?" Rose pulled apart the purple wax which had been sealing the envelope, dropped the letter into her hand and read:

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf, Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Ms. Barton,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31,
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress