American Beauty

Chapter 1: Welcome To England

The picture is Laila in first year.

I skipped down the stairs completely happy. It was the last week of summer and I wasn't going to waste it. When I got downstairs, a letter was at my plate. My dad always left all of my mail at my plate but he wasn't up yet.

In interest I cautiously made my way to the table. The writing on the outside of the letter was in a ghastly green ink. The address was oddly specific.

Laila Matthews

The Guest Room

10 Oak Way

Boston, Massachusetts

U.S.

I opened the letter carefully as not to ruin the wax seal on the back and was about to slide the paper out of the envelope when my older brother Logan came bounding down the stairs.

"What's that?" he asked.

"A letter," I answered mockingly.

He smirked at me. Him being one year older didn't really make a difference. We fought and played like twins. I slid the paper out and unfolded it. I was shocked to read the cursive lettering on the top.

Dear Miss Matthews,

You have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Enclosed is a list of necessary supplies and books. Term begins on September 1. Also enclosed is your train ticket for the Hogwarts Express. We look forward to having you.

Sincerely,

Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore

P.S. Seeing as you are from America, you will have to travel to King's Cross Station every year in London, England.

My mouth dropped open in shock. I was a witch. This didn't just happen.

"What's wrong with you?" asked Logan.

"I'm a witch," I answered. He came over to stand next to me and also read the very official looking letter.

"I'll get dad," he said. "He must have an explanation for this." Logan took off up the stairs to wake my father and I turned the letter over in shock. I was going to learn magic.

My father then appeared at the top of the stairs and looked straight at me.

"We need to talk," he said.

After he explained that he had no idea why I was a witch, he bought plane tickets to London. The rest of the day was a blur of packing and dashing about for last minute necessities. The letter had helped a lot with directions. There was an extra piece of parchment telling me where to buy my school books.

._____________.

When we arrived in London, I was amazed. There were just as many people as Boston but it seemed that everyone had a pleasant aura about them which lended to the happy atmosphere.

We dropped all of our belongings at a hotel and then we were off exploring and attempting to track down Diagon Alley.

I saw a very tall man walking with a very small boy. The man was so tall, he could have been a giant! I ran over to them to ask for directions.

"Excuse me," I started, "Could you tell me where Diagon Alley is?"

"We were just heading there now," said the man. I waved to my family to follow the two people and off we went through the streets of London.

"What's your name?" I asked the boy.

"Harry," he said, "Harry Potter. And you are?"

"Laila Matthews. It's very nice to meet you Harry."

"Are you American?" he asked thoughtfully.

I nodded.

"Welcome to England," he said.