I was flipping through the pages of a No-Maj Chemistry book when an unfamiliar owl flew into my room and landed on my desk. She dropped the small envelope she was holding and proceeded to help herself to the small bowl of water I kept there.

After closing the book, I placed it beside me on my bed and stood up to walk over to the small bird. She had dark feathers and moved to rub her head in my hand when I stretched my arm out. She was insanely soft, and couldn't have been more that a couple of years old. Once she decided she had had enough attention, she promptly flew away.

I picked up the envelope she had left. My name was written on it, but I didn't recognize the handwriting. It was swirly, like the person had taken extra time just to make sure it looked presentable.

Hello Emily,

I'm Kelsey. I got a letter from Dumbledore asking me if I would meet with you to help you get acquainted with the school and all that. I figure since you're new in town, I might take you to Diagon Alley. It is the best place to get everything you need for school. You will also probably need to exchange your money, cause I'm not really sure what Americans use for money, but I'm fairly certain it's not the same as what we use. There is a bank there, so you don't need to worry. The goblins will take care of everything for you.

I'll be heading out there this weekend if you would like to join. I can stop by your house if you want. My dad said that you are the family that moved into the old house just down the road from us. My dad met your dad at work. He said it was weird having an American around the office now, but I think he really likes it. My dad loves learning new things. Kind of like how you call Muggles No-Majs. It's fascinating.

Anyway, How about I stop by your house Saturday around nine in the morning. It'll give us the whole day to get to know each other properly.

You don't need to respond to this letter. I'll see you in two days!

TTYL

-Kelsey

I think my brain thought I was on caffeine while reading the latter. I hadn't met Kelsey yet, but she seemed like a good person, excitable, but good. There has to be at least one person to stay positive.

I put the letter back into the envelope and set it in the top drawer of my desk before I turned to head downstairs to find Dad. I had to ask him about her dad. If he was anything like his daughter, I'm sure Dad would have become friends with him very quickly.

The Library door was open just a crack, the room light up only by the fire in the fireplace. I pushed the door open to find my Dad sitting in his leather chair, reading the newspaper. A mugshot of a man with crazy hair and wild eyes seemed to be the first thing in the room to react to my presence.

My mother, who had gotten in just a couple days earlier looked up at me from her rocking chair and set down her knitting to greet me with a hug. "It's late, honey. What are you still doing up?" she stepped back and took my hand, leading me to the love-seat and sitting down with me.

"I just got a latter from this girl, Kelsey, who Professor Dumbledore asked to lead me around school and stuff. She wants to take me to Diagon Alley this weekend to go shopping for school."

"That sounds nice sweetheart," Dad spoke up, not removing his eyes from the paper.

"She said she's going to meet me here Saturday morning at nine."

My mom had started braiding my hair and my statement was met with a mumbled, "Okay dear," from Dad. The room was silent for a moment, and if possible, it became even more silent when I dared to ask who the man on the cover of the newspaper was.

After a few moments, Dad answered, "This man escaped from Azkaban, and no one has been able to find him. They suspect he is going after one person in particular, so I wouldn't be worried if I were you."

"She has a right to be worried," Mom said, tying off my new braid. "The man is a murderer. Even though it is unlikely he will attack anyone, he is still a man to be feared."

"So a murderer is on the loose and yet neither of you are worried about my safety?" I asked, with a small smirk on the corner of my lips, knowing exactly why they had no reason to be worried.

"Dear, You could take on an army of men and walk away without so much as a scratch." Dad still had yet to look up from his paper, he did however, in an exciting twist, turn to the next page.

"I don't think she could take on an entire army, but she would definitely be able to fight off at least ten men."

"I'm actually pretty glad you have that much faith in me."

"Well all you would have to do is bore them to death with you knowledge of triangles and math or whatever," Matt said from the door.

"Is everyone in this house awake?" Mom asked, as she stood and walked back over to her knitting.

"Everyone that matters," Matt replied, earning a glare from Mom. "I heard Em say that she was heading to Diagon Alley, I was wondering if I could go in her place?"

"No." The three other people in the room responded.

"Why don't we all go?" Mom piped up. "Emily can hang out with her new friend and I can spend some quality time with my favorite son."

"Notice how she didn't say favorite daughter." I said looking at Mom with a smile.

"Emily." She warned.

"Okay, fine, I'll stop. I'm gonna head up to bed then."

"Good night, honey," Mom said, shooting me a smile.

"Love you, dear," Dad, still refused to look up from his paper.

"See ya Dorcus," I said as I passed Matt, lightly slapping him on the shoulder.

"Loser." He smiled back.

It was a warm night with the window open. The breeze felt nice on my skin as I walked into my room. I arrived to find another letter sitting on my bed, and on my desk, an owl that I had come to know as the klutziest bird in existence, Errol.

The guy that I had been pen pals with since first year had found out that I had moved to England, and we had been writing to each other more now that we didn't have to go through our parents to send letters to a different continent.

Everyone else in my class had stopped talking to their pen pals by the end of year one, but George and I enjoyed talking to each other. We helped each other come up with ideas of how to prank our siblings, though George had a bit more help than I did, considering he had a twin brother to scheme with. One of the biggest bonds we had at first, was the fact that we were both middle children; the only difference being they decided to become the family jokers, and I decided to become the family genius.

It worked out well though. Of course, once he found out that I was sorted into Ravenclaw, he nonstop asked why I didn't ask to be sorted into Gryffindor. I couldn't tell him that I had to make that decision once when I was eleven, and I was too worried about making the wrong decision now.

I yawned as I picked up the letter and decided it would be best if I were to read it in the morning when I would have enough time to respond. I put it on my desk and pet Errol a couple of times before he flew home.

As I lay down in bed, I cursed at myself for not asking Dad about Kelsey's father. I would try to remember to ask tomorrow.