In a small, ivory painted cottage in Otterys St Catchpole lived a family of two. Carol Branley and her granddaughter Bella enjoyed their lives in the small town. Carol made a living in homeschooling the witches and wizards near by before they went to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A boarding school that Bella would be starting today. On March 1st 1991 on Bella's 11th birthday (a day she shared with her best friend Ronald Weasley) she received her Hogwarts acceptance letter. Her and her grandmother had been at The Burrow when it arrived. Bella spent almost everyday of her life at the The Burrow were the Weasley family resided. She had been eating breakfast at the table with Ron and his siblings when both hers and Ron's letter arrived. The two were thankful the school had used their owns owls to send their letters as Errol, the Weasley families owl was very clumsy and had bad eyesight so he often flew into things. The Branley girls owl Magenta wasn't clumsy nor did she have bad eyesight. No, she was just perpetually lazy and liked a lot of treats. Traits that were sometimes shared with Bella herself.

It was September 1st and the start of a new year at Hogwarts. Carol Branley had just finished checking Bella's trunk to make sure she had packed everything she would need. Bella had assured her grandmother the night before when she had decided to repack her granddaughters trunk, that she had checked off a list and was certain she had been successful. She had assured Carol again when her grandmother had double checked her own packing. After the trunk had been packed a total of three times, the two had gone to bed. Carol found it hard to sleep knowing her only grandchild would be starting a new chapter without her the next morning. Carol and Bella were the only family the other had left. Her husband Dixon had died 25 years ago after succumbing to dragon pox. After Carols daughter and Bella's mother, Amelia had been killed, Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster at Hogwarts and Minerva McGonagall, the Deputy Headmistress had brought little Bella to her grandmother's house. Bella helped and hindred Carol in the loss of her only child. Although Bella brought a sense of purpose, someone for Carol to live for she sometimes felt the loss for the first time all over again as she looked at her granddaughter that looked so much like her own.

Carol made her way upstairs to wake up Bella, knowing they didn't have much time before they needed to leave to get to the Weasleys. She pushed open the door of her granddaughters room and made her way to the window were she promptly pulled open the curtains. The sunlight would've bothered Bella but she was buried under her quilt and didn't even flinch. "Bella sweetie, it's time to get up." Carol called softly. The only response she got was a muffled groan. Carol let out a soft chuckle before walking over to the bed and pulling down the quilt. The sight of her granddaughters tired face was not what she discovered. What she did find however was Bella's small feet. Carol simply slid the quilt upwards and her granddaughters face was revealed at the bottom of her bed. "Bella you have to get ready." She told her "Five more minutes." Bella mumbled burying her face into the mattress. "Okay. If you don't want to go to Hogwarts, that's fine." Carol said manipulatively. She watched as Bella's head raised, eyes squinted in consideration. Bella was having an internal debate on what she wanted more- to go her new school or stay in her nice, cozy bed. Knowing her granddaughter she added the one thing she knew would get Bella out of bed "You know Molly's making breakfast right abo-" she was interrupted as Bella scrambled to get out of bed. She watched her granddaughter rummage threw what clothes remained in her dresser before running into the hall. She made Bella's bed, laughing softy as she heard the bathroom door slam shut.

Once Bella was dressed and had brushed her teeth she left the bathroom and started to head downstairs before swiftly turning around and rushing back into her room. She walked over to her bedside table and pulled the drawer open. She lifted out her Muggle sketch book and pencils Arthur Weasley had gotten her from work. After retrieving she continued making her way downstairs to find her Gran waiting with her trunk floating in the air as she held up her wand and Magenta in her carry cage on the small wooden bench by the front door. "Ready to go?" Carol asked with a smile looking up as Bella's feet reached the last step. Bella nodded and picked up Magentas cage and followed behind her gran, turning to take one last look at her home before heading out the door. The Burrow was a ten minute walk away. Carol and Bella had taken the familiar path almost everyday. It lay in between high hills and grassy fields- the view surrounding them was very green indeed.

The familar sight of the Weasleys home came quickly into view. The home that had once started as a simple pig pen now had many rooms added on over the years to make room for the expanding family. It now stood tall and slanted as the weight of the extra rooms held it down. It was messy and unconventional- perfect for a family like the Weasleys. As Carol and Bella neared the front door they could hear Molly shouting for kids to hurry up and come for breakfast. Bella walked into the house as if it were her own. (After all the time she spent there it might as well be.) Carol shook her head at her granddaughter but followed behind her anyway. The two made their way to the kitchen to find a large dining table full of red heads. Arthur and Molly Weasley had a total of 7 children. With the youngest, Ginny being the only girl that left 6 boys. Bill and Charlie had graduated Hogwarts and moved to start their careers. Bill, the oldest child worked as a curse-breaker for Gringotts bank and lived in Egypt. Charlie, the second oldest had a passion for dragons so when he graduated he moved to Romania to study them. Percy was the oldest currently living at home. He was a very serious and studious person. He was heading into his fifth year at Hogwarts and had been made prefect. For his accomplishment his parents had bought him brand new robes instead of wearing Bill or Charlie's hand me downs and got his very own owl that he named Hermes. Satisfied with his own pet, the family rat Scabbers was passed into Ron's care. After Percy there was the twins Fred and George. The twins were very tall and often found themselves in trouble after pulling pranks. They were the kind of twins that almost no one could tell apart (Bella was one of the very few) and finished each other's sentences. They would be attending Hogwarts for their third year. Ron was next. He was shorter than the twins were at his age and had a love for food that bordered on an obsession. Ron and Bella were born on the same day, the two best friends had grown up having joint parties and it never bothered them. The two had wanted a twin like Fred and George had and decided to be each other's. Ginny after today, would be the only remaining Weasley to not go to Hogwarts. She would attend for the first time next year.

As Carol moved to help Molly with breakfast, Bella took her usual seat between the twins and across from Ron. The boys grunted in greeting still half asleep over their bowls of porridge as Ginny sent her a big smile before returning to her breakfast. Bella used to the boys behaviour just smiled and sprinkled some sugar over her own bowl of porridge that Molly had set before her with a "Good morning dear."

As Carol lifted the empty porridge bowls, Molly served the freshly cooked sausages, bacon and scrambled eggs. The smells quickly arousing the boys out of their sleepy stature. "Can you believe we're really going to Hogwarts Bella?" Ron questioned his best friend excitedly, now awake enough to realise what day it was. Ginny shot him a look of disgust as bits of egg flew from his mouth as he talked with his mouth full. "I mean it's actually happening!" He rambled not taking any notice of Ginny's expression. Bella grinned "I know! We've waited our whole lives for this and it's finally here!" she gushed cutting up her sausage "Aww ickle Ronnikins," George started "and baby Bella are going" Fred continued "to be," George added "ickle firsties!" the two cooed sarcastically in unison as they often did. Ron scowled at the two "Don't call me that!" he complained "Boys!" Molly scolded "I hope you two are well behaved." Percy said to Ron and Bella and the two turned their heads to look at him "I'm a prefect now," he started and they both turned back and made a face at each other "I have responsibilities and I don't need any more embarrassment." He said pompously fixing his gleaming new prefect badge (he had been shining it every night before bed since it had arrived) that was pinned onto his jumper with a pointed glance towards the twins. Everyone under 30 scoffed. "Perfect Percy." The twins grumbled as their mother beamed at the reminder of his achievement. Arthur Weasley had overheard and let out a snort from behind his copy of the Daily Prophet. He covered it with a cough as his wife shot him a steady glare. Arthur placed the newspaper on the table before looking around at the kids "Good luck today, Bella and Ron. Take in every moment and enjoy it. Right. Best be off to work." He said standing up. Arthur worked for the Ministry of Magic in the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office. "Have a great time, behave and I'll see you soon." He said giving Percy, the twins, Ron and Bella a hug. He ruffled Ginny on the head before giving Molly a kiss and apparating away.

"Right. We better hurry if we want to make it to Kings Cross on time." Carol said wiping her hands on a dish towel "Everyone packed?" Molly questioned her children who nodded "Good." Molly said nodding as Carol and Bella shared a knowing look. "Now really, go pack and let's go!" Molly instructed "C'mon! Up! Up!" She shooed her boys away from the table and up the stairs. "Now dear are you sure you're all packed?" Molly questioned turning to Bella as the girls tidied up the table "Yep. I packed and then Gran did it again for me 3 times." Bella told her with an amused grin causing Molly and Ginny let out a laugh as Carol looked at her granddaughter. "Excuse me! It was only twice." She defend pointing a wooden spoon at her. Bella raised an eyebrow "Oh really? Are you telling me you didn't check again before I got up this morning?" She questioned her grandmother knowingly. The two red heads let out another laugh at the sheepish look that crossed Carols face as she looked at her granddaughter. As they put the last of the dishes away, one by one the boys traipsed downstairs pulling their trunks behind them. "All ready?" Molly questioned her sons and they all gave their confirmations.

Everyone made their way to the fire place with their belongings in hand. They would be travelling by Floo Powder. Molly took hold of the small pot that hung on the hearth which contained the powder required to travel. "Carol would you like to go first?" Molly questioned the greying woman with a smile "Okay sure." Carol said with a smile of her own taking a handful of the grey powder and moving to take her place inside the fire place. The twins helped her with Bella's trunk and set Magentas cage on top "The Leaky Cauldron!" She exclaimed clearly and disappeared in blast of green flames. Bella thanked the boys for helping and they shot her an identical wink. Percy was the next to go and just as the twins stepped inside Ron gasped. "Scabbers! I forgot Scabbers!" He exclaimed "Oh for goodness sake Ron, hurry up and get him! We're going to be late!" Molly instructed and Ron made a quick dash for the stairs. Ginny and Bella giggled as the twins shook their heads with a laugh before Flooing away. Bella stepped forward and took a handful of powder before taking her place inside the fire just as Ron thundered down the stairs, rat in hand. "Got him! I'm coming, hold on!" He shouted running to get in beside Bella. Bella snorted as Ron dragged his trunk in panting. "Ready twin?" She asked amused "Ready." Ron breathed with a laugh "The Leaky Cauldron!" She exclaimed and the green flames engulfed them.