Summary: Ella Roseanne Desmel is 13 and ready for school. Muggle school. What will happen when she finds out she can't go back? When she finds out she's a witch? Though she may have showed her abilities a bit late, with some private tutoring from Tom Zenth she will be caught up to her grade - and maybe even beyond, for she realizes Tom has powers. Powers beyond normal. And also - what does her birthmark have to do with her life? Beware – many twists.

PROLOGUE: The door to the Loo

The sun was bright, and I woke up thinking this would be a perfect day. I would go school supplies and clothes shopping with my friends Maya and Shannon. School would start soon and I would be back to seeing my 'boyfriend' Matthew every day. As luck would have it, he and I have the same timetables.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

A noise startled me out of my thoughts about year 9.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

I looked up to see a large tawny owl on my window. Walking over to it I saw it had a yellowish envelope attached to its leg, and as I removed the envelope I noticed my name and "bedroom" were on the front written in emerald green ink. Once I got the letter off the owl flew away. On the back of the envelope was a wax seal with a coat of arms on it. Curious, I broke the seal and ripped open the letter out to find:

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

Dear Miss Desmel,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You have just shown that you have magical talents. Although you have missed the first two years and you are the first witch in your family, we feel that with private tutoring you will soon be as knowledgeable as your classmates. Enclosed is a list of all your necessary books and equipment. A messenger will be sent to your house in three day's time to explain this further and accompany you to Diagon Alley.

Term begins September 1.

Warmest Regards,

Minerva McGonagall

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmaster

Thinking this was a pretty sad idea of a joke, I pulled out the list and read:

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Uniform

Third year students will need:

Three sets of plain work robes in black

One plain pointed hat in black

Dragonhide protective gloves

A winter cloak (black with silver fastenings)

Course books that students should have a copy of:

Fantastic bests and where to find them by Newt Scamander

The basics of Arithmacy by Vanetta Jump

Intermediate Transfiguration by Emeric Switch

Standard book of spells, Grade Three by Miranda Goshawk

Potions, poisons, and truth serums by Narmaniz Ramansh

A history of magic by Bathilda Bagshot

Additionally, please also obtain the following for private tutoring:

Standard book of spells, Grade One by Miranda Goshawk

Standard book of spells, Grade Two by Miranda Goshawk

Darkness and evil by Zack Zezan

Other Equipment:

a wand

a pewter size 3 cauldron

a set of crystal phials

a telescope

Student can bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL PUPIL'S CLOTHES SHOULD CARRY NAME TAGS

We look forward to seeing you.

That was a bit more convincing because who would think up so much, just for a practical joke? But I still wouldn't believe such a stupid idea. I won't be made fun of for my being gullible. I threw the letter on my desk and made my way through the sea of clothing on my floor to the door of my room. As soon as I opened the door I grinned. There, standing in front of me, was my best friend and sister, Jessica.

"Jessie!" I smiled, "What did you do to your hair?"

"What does it look like?" she retorted, in that "boy are you stupid" tone that I adore when directed at others. No matter what I do I just can't get myself to speak in that tone. I'm often called a 'goody-two-shoes' and I hate it. I've tried to be bad but it just doesn't seem to work.

Jessie will be in Year 10 this autumn. From her alarming hair colour it was my assumption that she wanted to stand out at school and when I asked her this, she agreed, but told me she hadn't thought of that at the time. She was "just tired of blonde hair and wanted it to have green streaks." So, she had dyed it. Dying my hair was something I could never do (and hardly anyone does), for even though Jessie and I are sisters we look completely different. Jessie got Mum's genes – while I got Dad's. She (was) blonde with brown eyes—just like my mum, but she has a long face like my father. I am different, with very strawberry blonde hair, and a face splattered with huge freckles. My head is round and my nose is almost flat, and too big. Often, my appearance bothers me. Let me correct myself…more than often, loads more.

Together we went down the stairs in our pyjamas and walked into the kitchen. Dad was just walking out of the door, and Mum was already at work. Summer is wonderful! No parents at home, just Jessie and I home all day long. Sometimes we have friends over, but usually we just hang out in the living room. The living room is the only even slightly comfortably cool spot in the house.

While Jessie poured juice for herself I explained the letter I had just received. She laughed and asked to see it, so I quickly ran upstairs…and tripped over my own feet. With a loud thud I slammed against the door to the loo banging my head on the doorknob. My last thought before my surroundings melted away, was the fact that I've always hated this house.

A/N End of prologue. : )