Prologue
Clara Smith gasped in shock as she stared at the small bundle with a letter on top lying on her doorstep. Stooping down to pick it up, she glanced around, looking for anyone who could've possibly left the bundle there, but saw no one. She suddenly shivered as a cold breeze flew past her. Hugging the bundle to her chest and tucking the letter into her pocket, she slipped back into the house and shut the door, blocking out the wind. Clara walked into the kitchen, took a deep breath, prepared herself for what she knew was inside the bundle of blankets, and slowly took off the first layer. Her faced softened as she beheld the face of a beautiful baby girl, with a small tuft of auburn hair. The girl was sleeping peacefully, so she quietly carried her into the living room, where Clara sat in her favorite armchair. She pulled out the letter, hoping it would explain just who this girl was and why she was left with a poor woman such as herself.
Dear Miss Smith,
This is my daughter, Aurelia Rose D'Airelle. I cannot take care of her, for I have many enemies and fear that they would hurt her in hopes of making me cooperate to their plans. Please take good care of her; I know you do not have lots of money currently, so please take a look inside the other envelope. I have great confidence that the items inside will help immensely.
The letter then went on that the girl was magical, and would attend a school for magic when she was eleven years old. It also said that someone would come to explain this more thoroughly a month or so before the school year would start. That person would also make sure that the girl would have everything she needed for school, and make sure she arrived safe and sound. After she arrived at school, Miss Smith would no longer need to take care of the girl, as she would spend the summer at the school as well.
This was a lot to take in for Clara, though after a few moments of thought, she decided to help whoever this was by caring for the girl until her eleventh birthday. And so she did.