Shini Carwell was never the most liked at her school, a Muggle school that her parents approved until they could tell their daughter the truth. Because Shini didn't turn 11 till November of the next school year, she simply had to wait to find out what she truly was. Though she never suspected that she was different from any other unmotivated student, she couldn't wait until summer; even so much as a week away from these 'bitches and bastards' was a dream.

Her parents had dropped not-so-subtle hints that Shini might be changing schools. They let things slip like 'it will all be over soon', or 'just leave a legacy behind you', or even 'just a few more weeks till it's all different'. They didn't do that last year when Shini had passed (with flying colors) yet another grade. The work simply never challenged her at all. Most of her time was spent thinking about how she could make things happen, though she couldn't explain the intentions brewing in the back of her brain.

More than anything, Shini couldn't wait to get to the beach, but not just any beach, her beautiful, ice covered tundra. It was her favorite place to go, and easy to get to, just half a mile from the house. Of course, this was no tanning trip. It was Scotland for Christ sake! It was flipping freezing out there! But that was exactly what Shini liked about it, being bundled in layers of clothing with her warm hat and scarf, not to mention her mother's drink pack. Her mom always sent a thermos of creamy hot cocoa with little marshmallows and a small container of whipped cream just in case.

Her mom always sent another thermos of coffee. Shini adored her mom's special coffee. "Black French Roast with French Vanilla crème, sugar, a drop of vanilla extract with my special twist." Of course, Shini knew the special twist was almond extract, but it was fun to beg her mother to tell her what it was; the hassling never got old. Shini could taste it in her mouth and on her tongue while staring at an unclean chalkboard with incomprehensible numbers...

"Carwell! Wake up. Answer, please."
"Nine square root of three, sir."

Advanced math was boring. Mr. Simons blinked a few times then gave in. "Correct, Carwell," he groaned. He was forever trying to find a way to confuse or stump Shini. Needless to say, it never worked. Again, there was no challenge he could present that was too great for her. Shini could not explain the sort of stupidity she saw around her; what she learned seemed pointless and common place, not extraordinary.

Mr. Simons was just about to explain something to the class when the bell rang. "Damn." He snapped his chalk in two just as the entire room became a hurricane of yells, a tornado of paper, and a earthquake zone at the same time. Shini was the only student to calmly pack the books she owned, return the book for the math class, wish Mr. Charley Simons a pleasant vacation, and walk out of the building, never to return.

School was over. That was it.

Shini clicked the door shut just as her father entered the kitchen.

"Hey, Kido. Finally over, huh?" Edward Carwell chuckled and rubbed at his balding head.
"Thank God!" Shini hurled her bag onto the kitchen counter and pulled off her gloves.

"Yes, Merlin be praised," Edward added quietly.

Shini let out a huge sigh, throwing herself into a nearby chair. Her father laughed and sat down beside her. His coffee mug made a small thud as it hit the wooden table. Shini turned it in its place until she could see the emblem printed on the cylindrical surface.

"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft... and Wizardry..." she read out loud to herself, "What on earth is that?"

"My favorite place in the whole world," her father responded. "We should talk, Shini. You see, you'll be attending a new school next year and..."

"Yes, I know."
"Oh. Well…really, did your mother tell you? Carla? I could have sworn she said I could tell you." He rubbed at this disappearing hair again. "Do you know which school?"
"No. Nobody told me anything; I just guessed."

"Honey," Edward Carwell called to his wife again, "can you come here, please."

"Be… be right there, darling!" Shini heard her mother call from the other side of the house. The next second, Carla Carwell stood her 5 foot 11 inches through the kitchen door. "Oh, yes, quite right, 'the talk' is it?" she replied, making quotes with her fingers.

Edward looked at his daughter, a serious expression prevailing. Shini looked mildly confused, but ready for what news they had to tell her.

"Honey, I'm gonna be completely straight forward with you, ok?" Her mother said impatiently just as her father had opened his mouth to speak.

"But you said I could do it," Shini's father protested. Her mother got distracted by his hurt tone.

"Yes, just say it already." Shini was on the edge of her seat wanting to hear all the great news of a new school.

"Your father and I are wizards. Well, I mean he is a wizard and I am a witch. You understand, wizards are male and witches are female. Moving on, you're enrolled at the best wizardry school, stay during year there and come back for summer, Christmas if you'd like as well. You'll meet some of the best people there. You're father and I met there on our third year, it was the best time of my life..."

"And so it shall be the best of mine as well," Shini squealed, ecstatic. "I don't believe this! I get power and happiness at the same time. THIS IS GREAT!" Shini threw herself into her mother's arms, her father close behind.

A/N: this chapter has been revised to sound as mature as I can make it at 1:30 in the morning, so hopefully it is better than it was before. I'll try to fix up some of the older chapters to get more detail, etc. read and please review so I have feedback to go on. sometimes it feels like your just stabbing in the dark if you don't get an idea of what you're aiming for. much love and thanx!