It was cold and dark when I woke up. It was always cold in my cupboard under the stairs. Well, not always, but it was whenever I was in trouble. Uncle Vernon had rigged it up so that he could easily blast cold air in there, or shut the heating vent in the winter months. I didn't know what was worse, having to sleep in the cold and waking up completely stiff with every joint aching, or the beatings I used to receive. It was always as bad, but I could still remember the day of my last beating. It was a year ago now. It wasn't even my fault when Dudley's brand new TV suddenly made a loud pop and then the screen cracked, but I was blamed for it anyways (just like they blame me for every unusual or bad thing that ever happens). I had been cleaning the upstairs bathroom when it happened. Dudley screamed and Uncle Vernon came rushing up the stairs yelling at me. He slammed my head into the wall and then threw me down the stairs. I had a concussion, two broken ribs, a broken arm, and a sprained ankle. They did take me to the hospital, but I think it was only because I couldn't do my chores anymore. There was a nurse there that wanted to talk with me. She kept asking about my life, and if this was normal. I didn't say anything, but I couldn't hold back the tears. The nurse just said that I'll be alright, and she was going to get someone from Child Protection Services to come talk to me, but I never saw that nurse again and no one else came to talk to me.

But that was last year. Today I need to be on my best behavior so that I don't ruin Dudley's birthday again. I turned on the small flashlight I had found while cleaning the attic, and trimmed my hair. Aunt Petunia hates it when my hair gets "long and unruly", so I try to keep it above my shoulders. I try my best for a cute angled bob cut. Sometimes it comes out better than others. This time turned out well if I do say so myself. The last time I let it grow longer she hacked off the majority of my hair and made it look like a boy's hair style. After my haircut I sat down to read. I was able to borrow books from the library, but this one was special. It was all about Merlin, you know from the story of King Arthur. I know there's nothing special about it but Aunt Petunia won't let me have anything that has to do with magic. I can't even have a deck of cards anymore because I was fascinated with the card tricks that the magician they hired for one of Dudley's birthday parties was doing.

Footsteps coming down the stairs gave me enough warning to hide the light and the book and lay down like I was still sleeping. Aunt Petunia banged on the door and unlocked it saying "Time to get up. You need to make breakfast. And don't overcook the bacon like you did last time."

"Yes Aunt Petunia." I said as politely as possible, knowing that Dudley is the only one in the house that likes soggy bacon, and it only has to be cooked that way because it's his birthday. After breakfast, I was left cleaning up while Dudley started opening his presents. Dudley was complaining about the number of presents or some such, then I heard mention of the zoo, and then they were off, leaving me alone in the house, but not before Uncle Vernon yelled at me to behave myself and to clean up the living room.

After they left I took all of Dudley's presents to his room and then took all of the wrappings and empty boxes to the trash. On my way out the door an owl flew from the mailbox to perch on the power line post across the street. "Odd." I said to myself as I walked to the trash. I got the mail while I was out and took it inside. Sorting through the mail there was a peculiar envelope with a wax seal. Flipping it over showed it addressed to me, and very accurately addressed too.

Ms. H. Potter
The Cupboard under the Stairs
4 Privet Dr.
Little Winging
Surrey

This was the first piece of mail I'd ever received. My heart was fluttering as I opened and read the letter.

Dear Miss Potter,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted 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 by no later than 31 July.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress

I let out a breath I hadn't even known I was holding. Could this be real? It can't be real. Can it? Witchcraft? Wizardry? Magic can't be real… can it? The accompanying page was even stranger. I've never heard of any of the books listed, or the authors for that matter. And where would someone even get a cauldron anyways. This has to be a joke… but who would put this much effort into playing a joke on me? This required more creativity than Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, or Dudley could ever hope to have, not to mention the fact that they have never gone through any effort at all when it came to me. What if it's real though? It would explain all the weird stuff that happens. I may as well write a reply. Walking back to the dining table to put down the rest of the mail, my heart stopped. There was a blank paper, an envelope and a feather sitting there on the table. I know those weren't there a moment ago. I had finished cleaning the table right before going outside. The envelope was already addressed to Professor McGonagall, and the paper was from the same Hogwarts letterhead that the letter was on. The feather, which I recognized as a quill from one of the history books I read at school, was elaborately designed. Now I know for sure the Dursleys could have nothing to do with this. I sat down in the chair and started writing.

Dear Professor McGonagall,

I am very excited to have received your letter accepting me to Hogwarts, but I'm concerned that I will not be able to attend. My Aunt and Uncle have never spent any more money on me than they have absolutely had to, and some of the things on the list of supplies sound rather expensive. Also, I wouldn't even know where to buy most of the items on the list. I'm afraid I will not be able to attend unless there is some sort of financial aid or scholarship available.

Sincerely,
Holly Potter

I placed the letter in the envelope, which sealed itself automatically. "Just how am I supposed to mail this anyways? There isn't a return address." I thought aloud. I jumped as I heard a tapping on the kitchen window. I turned to see an owl perched on the window sill, the same kind that was on the mailbox just minutes ago. "This day can't get any weirder." I said as I opened the window. The owl snatched the letter from my hand, gave a screech and flew off. "Ok?! I stand corrected."