Cows lazily munched on the dewy grass. A couple of them stopped and slowly looked up at the oncoming girl trotting her way down towards their barn. Her bucket squeaked as she swung her arms back and forth. Her black hair was pulled back into twin braided pigtails. The blue overall, over a red checkered shirt, was already covered mud. The pigs attacked her when she brought out last night leftovers to their pen.

"Mornin' Janet," said Tinley as she dropped the bucket underneath the cow's udders. Janet's spotted black and white face merely looked up at Tinley and went back to eating her hay. Tinley grabbed a nearby stool and started milking the cow.

Janet mooed in dismay and moved a little. Tinley whispered comforting words to Janet. The cow listened and went back to eating her hay.

"There ya go, all done Janet." Tinley pulled out the bucket of fresh milk and pushed back the stool. The milk didn't fill to the bucket's rim but to the marker line her grandma drew for her when she needed to stop. "Gramps said the vet will come by and check on you today, that calf should be coming soon." Tinley smiled as Janet mooed at her.

The barn gates creaked as a creature with large ears and as tall as half of Tinley came trembling inside. The creature wore a clean pillowcase with tiny little yellow sailboats on it.

"O-olive has come to f-fetch young mistress." Olive, Tinley's family house-elf, stood horror-struck as Janet looked at her. "Young mistress' grandmother tells Olive to bring young mistress for breakfast." Olive's hand were trembling as she spoke.

Tinley quickly picked up the bucket and speed walked towards the gate, "Alright, let's get going then I know you're scared of cows." Tinley winked at Olive as she passed her. Olive bowed to her as thanks.

After closing the gate with chains, Olive and Tinley walked back towards the large blue house. It had white trim all over the windows and doors. A porch big enough to stretch a hammock between the two white columns by the front door. There was also Tinley's grandma's prized rose garden that surrounded the perimeter of the house.

The lawn was green as emeralds and was always manicured. Tinley could see Rory, her twin brother, jumping on the trampoline in the backyard as she drew close. The dirt road soon turned into gravel, then stepping stones, as they reached the front door. Tinley noticed her older sister, Nancy, was swinging in the hammock reading a book.

"Morin' Nancy," Tinley said happily. Nancy fixed her glasses and gave a little nod at Tinley. Olive opened the door for Tinley, "Thank you, Olive," Tinley walked inside with the bucket of milk, "will you be joining us for breakfast?" Tinley asked when Olive closed the door behind them.

"Yes, yes, young mistress' grandfather told Olive that it upsets him that Olive doesn't eat with young mistress' family. Olive didn't want to upset anybody, so Olive tells young mistress' grandfather to command her to do so since it is the law to obey wizards and witches family's commands. Even though young mistress' grandparents are Muggles."

"No-Majs," corrected Tinley.

Olive slapped her forehead three times, "Olive forgot young mistress, we are in America, not England. Olive was wrong."

"You are forgiven, and stop hitting yourself." Olive stopped hitting herself and thanked Tinley many times.

They entered the kitchen where her grandma was setting up plates on a great big oak table, "Tinley! I see you milked Janet, perfect for the cats." Tinley gave her grandma a raised eyebrow, "Oh, I'm only kidding, well, a little bit, just pour some for the cats and the rest can be put in the garage where Grandpa can take it down to Tommy's to get it clean."

A timer, in a shape of a hen, started ringing on the marble counter. Tinley's grandma fiddled with her messy blonde bun, tucking back loose strands, "Olive can you get the biscuits in the oven? And use a thick towel this time."

Olive nodded, "Yes, Mrs. Pocket, Olive can do that," and excitedly retrieved the piping hot biscuits.

Tinley put the bucket of milk in the garage and took out a measuring cup by the cat food. She measured out about two cups of milk into yesterday's empty milk bowl. She poured the rest of the milk into a sealed container, so the cats won't get into them.

Tinley had always enjoyed doing farm work as long as she could remember. Her grandparents are, without a doubt No-Majs, seeing how they can't use magic to easily do farm work. The first time her grandpa showed her how to milk Julie, Janet's mom, Tinley was seven-years-old, she asked why they didn't use magic.

Her grandpa brown eyes twinkled at her, "I guess your dad hasn't told you yet." he scratched his prickly beard.

"What hasn't he told me yet?" Young Tinley was looking into the bucket of milk then back at her grandpa.

"Well, sweetheart, your grandma and I are what you call No-Majs, or, Muggles in England, we can't do magic like your dad or mom." he paused and stroked his beard again, "We were never born with it like your dad, but life is unexpected and having your father as my son was the most unexpected gift that life has given me and your grandma."

Tinley came back to reality when her grandma yelled breakfast was ready.

Thanks for reading! Please leave a review/comment! -Cedar Fisher