In the town of Weston, Massachusetts lay a house. And in that house, was a girl named Penelope Hosk, whom may I add, had just turned eleven. Penelope didn't know yet but in a few hours, her life would change greatly. Which is where our story begins.

It was a quiet but peaceful morning in the luxurious neighborhood of Weston. Like usual, the mailman went from house to house bringing each and every one of them letters and packages, unknowing that one particular letter will revolutionize the life of an eleven year old girl.

Penelope Hosk woke up on this Saturday morning with a bright smile on her face. Today was no ordinary day, no. It was her eleventh birthday. The lights shining through the windows blinded Penelope but it didn't bother her. Not today at least. She felt like nothing in this world could stop her. Well, nothing except her adoptive parents. There was nothing wrong with them of course. They were truly amazing people with hearts so kind they took in a child that wasn't even biologically related to them. It was just the fact that Penelope didn't feel as if she could relate to them or that they couldn't really understand her. She didn't think she could relate to anyone, which was partially the reason for why she never really had any friends. That and the fact that all the kids in her neighborhood were snobby rich kids who hid behind the shadows of their successful parents. Trying not to think of anything negative, Penelope raced down to the kitchen where she could smell the aroma of freshly sizzled bacon and pancakes.

"Hey, birthday girl! Are you ready for some breakfast?" Daniel Morgan, Penelope's adoptive father, asked. Penelope smiled and nodded as Daniel scooped some of the bacon onto her plate. "The pancakes will be ready soon but in the meantime, could you quickly get the mail? I know it's your birthday and all, but it would be really great if you could get it for me now. There's a letter I've been hoping to receive," He requested.

"Yeah, of course," Penelope replied hurrying to the door. She opened the door to reveal a bright and warm August morning and swiped the mail from the box. She examined all the letters carefully to see that one of them was addressed to her. Penelope furrowed her eyebrows in contemplation as she read what was on the red wax seal. Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? Penelope didn't believe she heard of a school by this name and furthermore, there was no such thing as witchcraft and wizardry. I'd better show Daniel and Emma, Penelope thought as she walked back into the kitchen.

"Here you go," Penelope said, tossing the letters over the table.

"Oh hey, it looks like you got a letter too," Daniel said while quickly looking through all the letters. A look of confusion came across his face as he read what was on the wax seal. "Witchcraft and wizardry? What is this nonsense?" Daniel passed the envelope back to Penelope. She quickly opened the envelope in curiosity and read what was on the three letters.

ILVERMORNY SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Agilbert Fontaine

Dear Ms. Hosk,

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

Term begins on 8 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 August.

Yours sincerely,

Tabitha Tenebrith

Deputy Headmistress

The second letter was a page of requirements and of what to bring.

ILVERMORNY SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

UNIFORM

First-year students will require:

1. FIVE sets of blue and cranberry class robes with a gold Gordian knot

2. ONE pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

3. ONE black winter cloak with silver fastenings

COURSE BOOKS

All students should have a copy of each of the following:

Chadwick's Charms Vol. I

by Chadwick Boot

History of Western Magic

by Natalia Honeywell

The Complete History of Ilvermorny

by Adalbert Waffling

A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration

by Emeric Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi

by Phyllida Spore

The Beginner's Book of Potions

by Diggle Allen

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

by Newt Scamander

Self-Protection From the Dark Forces

by Amelia Fudge

OTHER EQUIPMENT

1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)

1 set glass or crystal phials

1 telescope

1 set brass scales

Students may also bring, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad.

Students and guardians are reminded that students will receive wands at the school and MAY NOT, under any circumstances, bring their wands outside of school property as it is a felony unless you are the legal age of seventeen.

PARENTS ARE ALSO REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK

Yours sincerely,

Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus

Chief Attendant of Witchcraft Provisions

Lastly, the third letter was noted to specifically wizards or witches with no-maj parents or guardians.

ILVERMORNY SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Logan,

The staff at Ilvermorny understand that you both must be having a very hard time comprehending what is happening. Your child indeed has magical components built in his/her blood. We ask you to please remember that your child will be in good hands with us and not to fret when receiving this letter. If you allow your son or daughter to enroll at Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, we will be ecstatic to work with your witch or wizard in training. You may send your enrollment letter to us by owl, which will be provided for you as soon as you decide to enroll. Also, we will send one of our Pukwudgies to assist you and your child on your trip to Nauxneth for your materials on September 7th. If you decide not to enroll your child at Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, we urge you to reconsider and know that this is one of the best wizarding schools in all of the world. Thank you for your time and we hope to see you at the peak of Mount Greylock in Western Massachusetts on September 8.

Yours Sincerely,

Agilbert Fontaine

"Can I go, Daniel? Please?" Penelope begged with all her heart. This could be her chance to escape everything here and start a new life with people who are just like her.

"I'm sorry P, but this seems pretty shady to me. Emma agrees as well."

"Sorry, baby but as far as I'm concerned, there are no such things as fantastic beasts or dragon hide," Emma responded. Penelope frowned. How did she just know they were going to say that? This was why not having your biological parents suck. Her real parents would've let her go to Ilvermorny, right? Her real parents probably would've been better parents than Daniel and Emma!

Penelope stormed up to her room and jumped face-first onto her bed. How could they do this to me? Penelope thought. Can't they just do something to make me happy for once? That was probably the best birthday present I had ever gotten and now they just take it away from me? Sometimes I wonder if they can even qualify as parents.

Days had passed and there was some tension between Penelope and her adoptive parents. She swore to herself to stay anti-social to grieve over the fact that the opportunity to start anew was snatched out of her hands. The only time Penelope would talk to Daniel and Emma was when it was absolutely necessary. This was driving Mr. and Mrs. Logan crazy. There was always a little tension between them and Penelope but now this was getting out of hand. They had to do something and something fast because the strain was unbearable.

...

"P, Emma and I have decided that we will take a family trip to Mount Greylock on September 8th. We have already given your enrollment letter to this owl and if we really can find Ilvermorny, you may go but if not, you have to start regular school. Understand?" Daniel said. A smile crept onto Penelope's face as she heard these words. She might actually be getting the best birthday present now.

"Thank you so much! Thank you Dad! Thank you Mom!" Penelope was filled with so much excitement she couldn't bear it anymore and she hugged them. Daniel and Emma looked at each other like they had won the lottery. In all the five years of raising Penelope, not once has she referred to them as 'Mom' and 'Dad'. As those words slipped out of her mouth, they knew this decision would be worth it.

That is it for chapter one everyone! I know it was short but please bear with me. As the story progresses, chapters will become longer. I hoped you liked this chapter and if you did, please give it a favorite! And if you want more, follow it! Thanks so much for reading!