Eleanor dreamed she was flying. She soared high above the clouds, the ground far below her. She had something in her mouth. It was a letter, incased in a crisp red envelope. In the distance, nestled between the soft green hillside was a gray, three story house with a balcony. I must be getting a letter, she thought. As she drew closer to the house, she saw in the tallest window, a small red headed girl, asleep, with her frizzy hair spread all over her pillow. She grew more and more aware of her surroundings, and finally woke up. A dark grey, almost black owl was landing on her window sill. "Thanks Skotinos," she said, taking the letter from it's beak. Skotinos flew into her room and landed in his cage. She turned it over, and her breath caught in her throat as she turned it over and read her address on the front. She chewed her lip nervously, slit it open, and read the letter.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

Headmistress: Minerva McGonagall

(Order of merlin, first class, grand sorceress, Chf. Witch, Supreme mugwump international confederacy of wizards)

Dear Ms. Johnson,

We are pleased to inform that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl on no later than 31 July.

Yours sincerely,

Filius Flitwick

Deputy Headmaster

Eleanor grinned and ran downstairs, where her mother was no doubt making breakfast. Sure enough, when she entered the kitchen, the warm smell of waffles was wafting about the room. Her mother was standing at the counter, using her wand to pull a hot waffle out of the waffle iron. "Hello dear," she said, hearing her steps as she ran into the kitchen. "I thought I saw Skotinos earlier—did you get your letter?" Eleanor bounced on her heels and held her hand. "Yes! Look!" Her mother turned to look at the paper clutched in Eleanor's hand. She smiled. "Great! We'll go to Diagon ally tomorrow. I have to work today." She put the steaming waffle on a plate and turned back to the iron. "That one's yours." Eleanor poured herself a glass of milk and sat down with her breakfast. She wolfed down three waffles, took the acceptance letter that her mother had written, ran up the stairs to her room. She handed the letter to Skotinos, who cooed and flew out the window. Then she sat, and waited eagerly for his return.