After a fun afternoon at the roller rink as well as a nice lunch out, the family returned home. As they pulled into the drive, Rose noticed a tabby cat sitting beside one of the front hedges. The thing that stood out to Rose the most was the markings around its eyes. They almost looked like glasses. It didn't even quiver as they all got out of the car and slammed their doors shut. Odd sort of cat wasn't it? Rose was tempted to try and pet it but she wasn't sure it would let her.

They got inside and sat down in the sitting room together to watch some TV. It wasn't too long after they'd settled down that there was a knock at the door.

Dad got up to answer it and Rose heard hushed voices coming from the direction of the front door. Dad sounded quite confused. The second voice was unfamiliar but Rose thought whoever it was sounded like a rather strict librarian.

"Okay, come in then," Rose heard her dad say finally, then there were footsteps and her dad returned to the sitting room along with a woman who Rose didn't think was anyone she'd want to cross. She was also dressed rather oddly in a green cloak with her hair drawn up in a tight bun. Rose inched a bit closer to her mum on the sofa. he never did well with strange grown-ups.

"Hello Miss Rivers," said the stranger

"H-how do y-you know my name?" Rose asked, starting to stammer. That was something that always came out when she got nervous. This was strange. Unnerving almost.

"It's alright, pup," her dad reassured her, "she's here to talk to you."

Rose dropped her head to one side and stood up. She was starting to get more and more confused. The stranger held her hand out to shake. Rose looked to her dad who gave her a nod of encouragement. He'd always taught her to be polite. 'Manners are essential, pup.' That's what he always said. Rose nodded back at him and shook the stranger's hand quickly.

"Wh-who are you?" Rose asked

"My name is Professor McGonagall," the stranger answered curtly. "And I have something very important to discuss with you, young Roselynn."

"M-me? What i-is it?" The eleven-year-old stammered again, running a hand through her unruly hair. What possible business could a grown up have with her. She saw mum exchange a curious look with dad who just shook his head.

"As I've said, I'm a professor and I've come to offer you a place at my school," Professor McGonagall replied.

Rose looked even more confused. A school? Her stammer vanished as she realized she wasn't in trouble but something still didn't quite add up.

"Couldn't you have just sent a letter with the postman?" She asked.

"Very perceptive," said Professor McGonagall keenly "But Hogwarts is a very special school, Miss Rivers. It's a school of magic."

Magic?!

Rose's eyes widened. The strange things she'd done. The power core within her. It was real magic. It all made sense now.

"Magic? What are you talking about?" her mum asked

"Well, Mrs. Rivers, your daughter is what we in the wizarding world call a muggle born witch. Your daughter has magic powers although you and your husband do not. She's a very special girl," Professor McGonagall answered.

"But Rose isn't-"

"Yes I am mummy!" Rose piped up suddenly. "Watch this!"

She focused on her power core as she'd done before and the sitting room lights flickered. Her parents looked amazed and Professor McGonagall gave a little smile.

"Did...did you do that, pup?" Dad asked in a quiet voice, looking at her as if he'd never seen her before. Rose nodded.

"Yeah," she said, smiling and looking extremely pleased with herself.

"Impressive," Professor McGonagall said. "That sort of control is unusual in one so young."

She reached into her cloak and pulled out several sheets of yellowish parchment.

One was a letter, telling her she'd been accepted to a school called Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft and Wizardry and that term started on the first of September. The others were lists of school supplies and directions on how to get to a place called Diagon Alley.

Professor McGonagall stayed for quite a bit explaining things to mum and dad. Rose's powers had to be kept secret from people without magic (who were called Muggles) and she wasn't allowed to use her powers outside school until she was seventeen.

"Does that mean I can't make the lights flicker anymore?" asked Rose in a bit of a put out voice

"You shouldn't," said Professor McGonagall seriously. "Secrecy is very serious and one of the most important parts of joining the wizarding world."

Rose nodded. She understood.

After Professor McGonagall had taken her leave, Rose sat there watching after her in amazement

"This is a lot to take in, pup," Dad said. "How do you feel?"

"Fine dad!" Rose answered honestly. "I think it's really cool! I can go, can't I?"

Mum and dad looked at each other.

"I suppose you should. It seems like it's where you belong." Mum answered slowly.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Rose squealed, rushing to hug them both.

That night as she laid in bed, Rose stared up at the purple canopy above her bed thinking about everything that happened. Today had been the wildest birthday of her life. Her life had essentially changed but it felt right.

A witch. She thought. I'm a witch.

And the words kept running through her head until she fell into a peaceful slumber.