"I sense, despite my transformation right before your eyes, you're still dubious. May I ask Hermione to attempt a spell? Just a small, simple demonstration?" Professor McGonagall asked.

I didn't wait for my parents to answer for me. I swallowed my nerves and stepped forward. Professor McGonagall beamed proudly at me.

"Excellent, Miss Granger. You'll be a brave Gryffindor yet! My dear, take this." She said handing me the stick she was still holding.

"Professor, is this a…a…" I stuttered nervously. I tried to concentrate on the task at hand and not wonder what in the world a "Gryffindor" was.

"A magic wand, yes." She answered. "Every witch and wizard has one of their own. Now, mine is most effective for me but it is pliable enough to obey you if you try a simple spell. Now for an example…" The casual way this strange woman spoke of magic and wands made me want to giggle. She twirled her head around the room, I wasn't sure what she was looking for until she looked at my dad, still frozen solid on the spot where he'd read my acceptance letter.

"Mr. Granger, I see you are squinting somewhat. May I inquire where your spectacles are?" She asked kindly.

My dad shook his head and slowly reached for the breast pocket of his shirt. He pulled out his eyeglasses with the cracked lens.

"They're here." He said softly. "I stood on them accidentally last week. I have to make an appointment to have them replaced." He said. Dad had been suffering from awful headaches since he'd broken his glasses.

"Perfect!" McGonagall said, clapping her hands together. She swooped over to my father and took the glasses from his hand. She placed them down on the sofa table and stood by my side, turning me to face Dad's glasses.

"Now, my dear. I would ask you to wave my wand like this…" She put her hand over mine and guided my movement three times until I could repeat the motion exactly. "Perfect. Now do that movement and say these words…" She whispered the jibberish sounding incantation in my ear. I nervously turned to my parents who clearly didn't know which planet they were standing on.

Clearing my throat, I waved the wand and repeated the words.

"Occulus reparo."

No one in the room was more surprised than I was when sure enough, Dad's glasses went from having a cockeyed tilt and a cracked lens to completely pristine. It was as if he'd only just picked them up from the optometrist.

My parents each gave a shocked yell. I stared at the repaired eyeglasses and felt my heart fill. I felt my tears well up. The realization was other-worldly, impossible but undoubtedly true. I wasn't a freak, there was a name for me. I was a witch.

Professor McGonagall beamed at me and offered me a dark red handkerchief with gold trim to wipe my eyes. As I took the satin fabric in my hand I saw a golden lion emblazoned on it. I dabbed my eyes and handed it back to Professor McGonagall with a whisper of thanks.

"There are many things yet to explain to you, but I really need to be on my way or I will miss my Portkey. I will have Nathalie Andrews, a school representative contact you in two days. She's a very upstanding, talented witch and she will be able to answer questions for you. You don't have to have your minds made up now but I encourage you to speak with her before you do decide."

Professor McGonagall reached for her wand and I reluctantly handed it back to her. It wasn't until then that I noticed my body was vibrating when I held the wand. The absence of the vibrations made me long for their return.

"I did so enjoy meeting you, Miss Granger." McGonagall said with a nod. "I would very much like to see you at Hogwarts. It would be a delight to have you." She looked up at my parents and held her arms out to them in farewell.

"Mr. and Mrs. Granger, it was my pleasure. I'll be on my way. I hate to delay your lunch and dessert another minute." She said. She turned on her heel and walked out the door.

I swung the door shut and the three of us stood staring at each other. My mind was racing, it felt as if my entire world had broadened. There was no way I wasn't going to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I'd go there if I had to hitchhike. I'd go there if I had to fly.

Wait a minute – could I fly?

Mum and Dad were still shocked into silence. He retrieved his repaired eyeglasses and put them on. It was his way of confirming that was he saw was real.

"I want to go. I want to go to this school." I said declaratively. "This is the reason I've always felt like an outcast here; I don't belong. I don't want to waste any more time."

Mum cocked her head at me, "We'll certainly discuss it…"

"No, Mum. I've made up my mind. I want to go." I wasn't the type to stomp my foot and throw a tantrum when I didn't get my way but I was definitely digging my heels in on the issue. If they saw I was determined to go, I knew they wouldn't resist.

We drove quietly to a hamburger restaurant but I was too excited to eat very much. My spirits lifted so high I felt like I was floating. I couldn't stop smiling all the way through our meal. I ordered a strawberry sundae for dessert and all three of us shared it. The way they were smiling told me everything I needed to know. Mum and Dad hadn't said it yet, but I felt them relent. I was going to Hogwarts!

It was all I could think about for the rest of the day. Mum was right, the weather was lovely so we ended up going for a walk after we ate. There's a beautiful park they took me and my ex-friends to all the time to play. I hopped onto a swing and pumped my legs hard to get into a steady rhythm. My parents sat nearby on a bench, talking.

The sun started to set when we got back home. We settled into the parlour and I tried cracking open one of my new books. I read the same page four times; I couldn't concentrate. All I could think about was my new school, my fresh start. I wondered who I'd meet, what friends I would make. No one there would think I was weird. No one there would make fun of me,

I was so happy, I could have cried.