I wore a bright grin as I knocked on the front door of the Burrow, the home of my best friend, Ron Weasley and his wonderful family. The sound of squabbling voices and running feet could be heard from inside; probably Ron and his little sister, Ginny arguing over who would get to answer the door. It was clear who won when my ginger haired companion opened the door seconds later.

"Poppy!" Ron beamed upon seeing me.

"Did it come?!" I didn't even bother greeting him, a hopeful gleam in my eye as I waited for his answer.

"No." He sighed sadly, his eyes suddenly downcast.

"Oh." I felt my stomach drop as my face fell.

"Only joking!" His devastated facial expression was replaced with joy as he held up his left hand, which I hadn't even noticed had been hidden behind his back until that moment, "It came!" In his raised hand was an envelope, identical to the one clutched tightly in my own hand, only with his name and address on rather than mine. Our Hogwarts letters.

I let out an excited squeal before launching myself at Ron, hugging him tightly.

"Come on, Mum will want to watch us open them." He claimed, grabbing my hand and dragging me inside. Ron and I promised each other a long time ago that we would open our Hogwarts letters together, so the second mine was dropped through the letterbox, I was out the door and running to the Burrow. It wasn't long before I arrived, seeing as I only lived a ten minute walk away.

I let my best friend lead me through his home, to the kitchen where the rest of the Weasleys sat around the table, some of whom had plates of unfinished breakfast set in front of them.

"Hey, Poppy." Ron's older twin brothers, Fred and George were the first to notice me and greeted me in perfect unison, attracting the attention of the rest of the family.

"Poppy, dear, how lovely to see you!" Molly Weasley smiled warmly at me, pulling me into her arms. The action didn't surprise me in the slightest. Molly Weasley is easily the most loving woman you will ever meet, who would mother the whole world if she had the chance. Ron and his siblings are so very lucky to call her mum and I've always seen her as a second mother to me, too.

"I've made eggs and bacon, would you fancy some? I can put the kettle on as well, if you'd like a spot of tea?" She wasted no time in offering her hospitality.

"Thank you so much for the offer, Molly, but I'm too excited to eat or drink anything." A joyous smile spread across my face as I held up the dark, cream sort of coloured envelope, sealed with a red wax stamp, decorated with the Hogwarts crest.

"Oh, how exciting!" Molly gasped in delight, "Ron got his this morning, too!"

"She knows that, Mum," Ron spoke up, "That's why she's here, so we can open them together like we planned." It was at that moment that Molly's husband and Ron and his siblings' father, Arthur Weasley came in from the back door which was in the kitchen.

"Hello, Poppy." He smiled as soon as he spotted me.

"Hi, Arthur." I smiled back. Ron and I had been best friend since we were four years old, so it was only natural to be on a first name basis with his parents.

"Arthur, love, you're just in time; Ron and Poppy are about to open their Hogwarts letters!" Molly gushed, clapping her hands in delight.

"Oh, that's brilliant!" Arthur beamed.

"Well, come on then, are you going to open the blasted letters or not?" One of Ron's older brothers, Percy urged. Percy was currently the oldest Weasley child living at home, since the eldest two, Bill and Charlie had flown nest.

"Right." Ron and I nodded before simultaneously tearing open our envelops and pulling out the letters that would change our young lives forever. My eyes eagerly danced over the words, the smile on my face growing bigger and bigger as I read the letter;

Dear Miss. Grace,

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