The next morning, I woke up and smiled. I'd had a good dream, I can't remember exactly... Eh, whatever.

I got up out of my bed and threw on some clothes. Once I did so, there was a stinging in my knee and a throbbing on my face. Grumbling, I opened my door and went downstairs.

My mom greeted me. "Hey honey. Sleep well?"

I nodded, sitting down. My mom was on the phone.

"Oh, Amanda, would you mind getting the mail? Kind of busy here." she whispered, putting her hand over the speaker for a second. I nodded and went to go get the mail.

When I reached the door, there was a small pile of letters sitting in front of the mail slot. I picked them up and examined them. There was a bill for my mom, a postcard from Aunt Lesta, a letter for my mom from Jerry (the guy she was dating,) and-a letter for me.

What?

I stared at the letter in my hand. It clearly had my name on it. It was obviously a trick of some sort. There was a random crest on the back and I'd never gotten a letter from anyone before. Ever.

"Amanda? What's taking so long?"

"Nothing, mum!" I walked to the table and put the stack of letters on the table, staring at my own letter. I opened it cautiously, as if there could be some poison inside.

There were two letters inside. I pulled out the one nearest to me.

Dear Miss Simmons,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Enclosed is a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September the First. We await your owl by no later than August 31st.

Sincerely,
Professor McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress.

I stared at the letter in shock, then have it to my mom to read. She read it thoroughly and carefully, and she looked up at me, smiling. She cleared her throat nervously.

"Erm, honey, I have something I need to tell you."

"Okay, go on then," I said cautiously.

"Well, I know this isn't a joke, because your father, before he died, was a wizard."

My father had died when I was born. I didn't get to know him at all.

I widened my eyes. "What?" I was in shock. "A-a wizard?"

My mom nodded, her face grim.

I pinched myself-this could not be real.

What? I was a witch? About to attend a school I hadn't ever heard about?

This was absolutely insane.

Yep. I was officially becoming mad.

My mom was smiling at me. I took a look at her. I assume she thought I was going to say something about how this was all a trick, but instead, I simply stated:

"I- I have to go pee." And I scurried off to the bathroom.

-------------------

A few days passed, and finally it sunk in that I was a witch.

I basically danced around the house in glee. I don't think I'd ever been that happy. My mom watched me, happy too, but I saw that little hint of sadness behind her blue eyes. I was going to be leaving. For quite a while.

At least I would be away from Dudley. I would have nothing to do with him.

I still knew that I would most likely be picked on in my new school, I was just that kind of person. I was a perfect target. Since I was tiny, and I was young, it was easy for kids to pick on me. Hurrah.

Whatever. If be able to fend them off with magic anyway.

Oh, im so excited! I might make an actual friend! Probably not, but hopefully.

Wait. Don't get your hopes up, Amanda. You will always, always, be the target. It hasn't been any different all your life. Why would it be different now?

I just sighed, eating my toast. Crunch, crunch, crunch, I heard the percussion, somehow.

It was going to be a bit hard, but I knew I could manage somehow.