CHAPTER 1

The summer just after Kiearo Adahall turned eleven started out just like any other summer. This did not last too long however, as she woke up on June 19th to banging on her room door by the orphanage supervisor.

"Up!" grumpy old man Phil demanded as he continued to knock, "A strange old lady is here to talk to you about some school. You have two minutes to come down before I shove her out and you get stuck going to public school again."

Kiearo quickly jumped out of bed at that announcement as she heard Phil's heavy footsteps as he traveled back down the hall the way he came. She was just glad that it was him instead of his daughter that came to wake her. Milly was very creepy and didn't respect anyone's personal space, especially the orphans living in their "mansion". Well, more like a rundown workhouse that was shut down from its original purpose twenty years ago and reopened under Phil's management as a "proper orphanage". Not that the government officials really seemed to care since no one in social services came to check up on the kids in their care, only to stop by for two minutes when they dropped off a new kid.

Reaching under her bed to grab her small box of cloths Kiearo quickly dressed and tried to smooth down her braided hair before she headed out into the hallway to go downstairs. She was very excited about this meeting, ever since she had the dream a week ago.

She had known about her heritage for a couple years now, and was on the verge of opening the letter her mother had left in her possession when she was dropped off at the orphanage when she was barely two months old. Of course her own letter, which she opened five years ago, had promised that more would be explained when she was able to deliver the other letter to its rightful recipient in a couple years. The name on the letter was Tom Riddle, but she had absolutely no idea who that was. Her mother's letter to her had explained about her witch heritage, which she got from both parents, but until she entered the wizarding world at eleven she wouldn't be able to learn more. Her mother had promised that if she went to the goblins in Diagon Alley, she would be able to get a heritage test done and get more answers that way. But of course she had no way to get there since she had no idea where Diagon Alley even was.

That was the major reason she was so excited about the meeting this morning. After her dream vision that let her know about a professor coming from a wizarding school to explain and get supplies she had had a brief glimpse of a white building and some creatures that could only be goblins. This indicated to her that she would finally be able to get the answers she so desired. She was suspicious that she wouldn't be able to get a meeting with the goblins today, especially if a professor was accompanying her, but she would be able to find out how to get back there to talk to them another time.

Reaching the bottom step of the creaky stairs Kiearo glided across the entrance way to the small sitting room that was used for visitors. Knocking on the old paint chipped door Kiearo carefully opened it and stepped in once she heard a positive response.

There on the faded loveseat to the left of the door was an old, stern looking lady wearing smart business attire and long cloak which was currently drapped around her arm as she sat. The lady looked up with disapproval in her eyes, from Phil who was lounging on the chair near the far corner of the room. Her hard eyes seemed to soften a little bit as she took in Kiearo standing stiffly in the doorway.

"Please, come and take a seat Miss Kiearo. I am Professor Magonagall from Hogwarts School for Gifted Children. I was just explaining to Mr. Peterson here, that a scholarship fund is provided for children and families who are unable to pay their own way." explained the newly introduced Professor Magonagall.

Phil just grunted in the corner and stood up to leave. "As long as I don't have to pay fo' no fancy schoolin', do what you want."

Moving out the way, Kiearo let Phil pass her and shut the door behind him, leaving Kiearo and the Professor to discuss any details that he didn't care about.

Turning her attention to the Professor, Kiearo smiled tentatively and moved further into the room. Magonagall gave a soft smile in return. "Now, I'm sure you are wondering what exactly this school entails, so I am here to explain."

Kiearo smiled and interrupted her before she could get further into her practiced speech. "To make things easier, Professor Magonagal, I am already aware that I am a witch. Could you please explain about Hogwarts though?"

Magonagall raised her eyebrows in surprise about the interruption but nodded in agreement to jump ahead in her explanation. Privately though, she was confused about how Kiearo knew of her magical origins. She went on to provide details about Hogwarts, its school curriculum and professors, and gave Kiearo her list of school supplies. Then she quickly brushed over how her school tuition was paid by the school vaults as was the case with some muggleborns and that they would be going to Diagon Alley today to get her supplies. Kiearo nodded along and quietly mulled over the thought that some magical were born into non-magical families. This didn't make sense to her, so she privately promised herself to verify her suspicions with the goblins when she had a chance to meet them.

Standing up with Magonagall, Kiearo quickly ran to her room to grab her coat before they left for the heart of London and her first trip into the wizarding world.

Please review to tell me how I can improve this story or my writing. :)