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Most girls get kicked out of the house for something they did, like getting into drugs or some kinda illegal activity or getting pregnant. And they're usually at least old enough to take care of themselves somehow. Me, I'm eleven and I got kicked out because of a letter I received.
The letter informed me that I've been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Funny name, really, so I thought it was some kind of joke at first but my mama freaked out, even worse than usual. She screamed her head off, something about me being a devil child and wanting nothing to do with me anymore. Next thing I know, I'm outside, my face still stinging where she hit me. Ultimately, my dad helped me pack up what essentials I needed and arranged for me and my brothers Amos and Nigel to fly out to Scotland to live with my Aunt Laura and Uncle Ralph.
I don't mind being out from under her reign much, but this isn't really what I had in mind. All I've ever known is Georgia. I didn't even realize I had family in another country, and now I have to live with them and go to school there, too. I have to wonder, isn't there a wizarding school in the States? It's almost like whoever knew I was a witch also knew I'd end up stuck with my Scottish relatives anyway.
I wish they would've put more thought into this, though, because I sure have. My plan was to work hard in school and get a job so I can raise enough money to leave and take care of myself as soon as I'm eighteen. Going to school in England sure sounds exciting to a lot of people, but not me. I won't know anyone, I'll have to make all new friends, and all those British kids will probably think of me as some dumb, uncivilized American and treat me as such. I've heard enough redneck jokes in America as it is. And how's knowing magic going to help me in the real world?
My dad's not as bad as my mama, but I've got a bone to pick with him right now. Apparently he was raised in one of these "wizarding" families. His brother, Ralph, and sister, Mary, both went to Hogwarts. He wasn't magical himself, but you'd think he could've at least mentioned something about it sometime during all these years. "Hey, Eileen, by the way, your relatives are wizards" -- would that be so hard???
My aunt and uncle and Cousin Oliver seem pretty cool. They've been doing quite well at helping me and my brothers adjust to the change. Aunt Laura got me this diary to start recording my new thoughts and adventures at school. She's been particularly sensitive to my feelings about all this, saying she's "Muggle-born" herself. ("Muggle" is wizard talk for someone who's not magical.)
Oliver's been pretty friendly to me, too, but he's rambled on and on and on about a wizard sport called Quidditch. He's gonna be captain on the Gryffindor team this year. Just my luck to have an ultra-athlete cousin, haha. He's nice, though, so at least I'll have someone looking out for me once school starts.
Amazing how a stupid letter can totally flip your life upside down.
- Eileen Rose
 Owl Goddess · Sat Dec 04, 2010 @ 07:22am · 0 Comments |
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