Cortney grew up to be a wonderful young girl. She looks a lot like Bellatrix, but with a much nicer, softer touch. She had big dark eyes like her parents. They were like adorable puppy dog eyes instead of a dark cold cave. She received two older sisters. They're twins named Erin and Sarah. And a little brother named Tristen. For most of her life, she thought she was a mixture of her parents. Her dad was ginger curly hair with dark eyes, her mom had dark straight brunette hair and blue eyes. The twins were ginger, with dark eyes. The brother was dark hair, blue eyes. And Cortney had dark hair and dark eyes. Her parents never told her a thing about adoption. They wanted to make Cortney feel like she was part of the family from birth. The moment Cortney was adopted, her last name changed to O'Donnell. She grew up in a small neighborhood, made a bunch of friends, went to school, grew an interest in music and dance. She started dance at five, guitar at six, piano at seven, violin at eight, drums at nine, and flute at ten. Her sisters were more sporty, they were 14. And her brother just wanted to play since he was 5.
Today Cortney will be turning eleven. Cortney was currently sleeping. She was in a middle of a dream. Her best friend Rosemary and she were beating her friends Jordan and Brice in a drum-off. All of a sudden she shot awake...underwater. Cortney went to the surface to see we family around her.
" Happy birthday !! " They all cheered jumping in.
" Thank you !! " Cortney exclaimed giggling.
" We made pancakes and bacon," Erin informed.
" Yummy," Cortney said licking her lips. Everyone got out to dry off. As Cortney got out she saw a brand new bike.
" Is that? " She bean to asked, they nodded as her smile grew bigger. " Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you! " She touched the handlebars and shivered.
" You can ride with style," Sarah said slipping sunglasses onto her face.
" And to a sick beat !! " Tristen cheered handing her a new pair of drums sticks. ( her old ones broke ). She hugged them all muttering thank you a million times. They all headed inside.
" Cortney, can you get the mail? " Her dad asked.
" Yep! " Cortney chimed skipping over to the front door. She opened it and skipped down to the driveway to get the mail before skipping back inside. She went through the mail. There were letters from her sisters, brother, parents ( mostly bills ), and her. Cortney's eyes widen.
" Camp Durant! I've dreamed about this for years! " Cortney gasped.
" You're finally old enough, I won't have to deal with you for two weeks! " Erin teased playfully. Cortney laughed and playfully stuck her tongue out.
" You will be going with Rosemary, Jordan, and Brice," her mom informed. Cortney's smile only grew wider. A few hours later, Cortney was in dry clothes. She laid across her bed staring at the letter wondering what could be in it. There was a knock at the door. Cortney listened to the door open. Cortney's mom opened the door to be greeted by three children.
" Hey guys ! " her mom cheered.
" Hello Ms. O'Donell, is Cortney home? " They coursed. Cortney got up immediately recognizing the voices.
" Yes, she is, comes right in," Her mom said smiling. Cortney met the people just as they came in.
" Happy birthday! " The cheered.
" Thank you! " Cortney exclaimed.
The four children sat around the pool, dangling feet in the water, clenching their unopened letters.
" One," a girl began. Her name is Rosemary Maleszyk. She had light brown bushy hair, bright blue eyes. Very artistic. She here from Australia in second grade.
" Two," a darker boy began. His name is Brice McCahon. He has dark hair, dark eyes. Very outgoing. He moved here in kindergarten from Oregon.
" Three," Cortney continued.
" Go! " Another boy chanted. His name is Jordan Barnett. He is her next-door neighbor, he has been for as long as she can remember. He is very sporty, he had dark hair and green eyes. Cortney has had the biggest crush on him, for the longest time. He has about of a Mexican, Canadian background. His father is from Mexico and his mother is from Canada. The four of them opened their letters.
" Dear Rosemary,
We are pleased to have you join our camp this year !! We were ecstatic to hear you've been waiting for this time to come when you finally turned old enough to go. We hope to make you into a better musician and dancer. See you soon!
From head counselors
Jacyln Allen and Tanner Tokin. " Rosemary read aloud.
"This is exciting," Brice said. They all nodded in agreement.
" We need drumsticks, a violin, flute, and guitar," Cortney listed.
" We also need, running shoes, ballet shoes, jazz shoes, and tap shoes," Jordan groaned. The girls giggled.
" We leave in a week," Brice stated.
*****
A week later the four just got registered into camp. The two girls walked to their cabin. Rosemary and Cortney were placed in the same one. As they walked in, they saw two other girls.
" Hello I'm Rosemary Maleszyk, and this is Cortney O'Donnell," Rosemary said introducing them. The girls turned and smiled at them.
" Hello," Cortney said smiling.
" I'm Jillian Debrowsky," a girl said. She had shirt bushy hair, in a ponytail. She has greenish brownish eyes.
" And I'm Annabelle Clifford," the other girl said smiling. The girl had strawberry blonde hair pulled into pigtails and green eyes. The two weeks flew by fast, it was now leaving day, And Cortney did not want to move.
" Write us" Jillian pleaded.
" Of course," Rosemary said. Everyone hugged goodbye and departed. A few hours Cortney was dropped off at home. As soon as she walked through the front door she was tackled into a hug by Tristen.
" Cortney! " He cheered.
" Tristen! " She mimicked. So everyone was outside sitting at the table as Cortney told them all about the camp. She earned a few laughs here and there. All of a sudden an owl swooped down, landing on the table, there was a letter in its beak. Erin grabbed the letter, in exchange for food before it flew off.
" I think they got the wrong person," Cortney said looking at it. " It says it's for Ms. C Lestrange....wait never mind now it's for Ms. C O'Donell ". Her eyes widen as the ink changed by itself. The parents looked at each other. " What ? "
" Nothing," the parents coursed nervously.
" Well read it! " Tristen demanded.
" On the front it says Ms. C O'Donell 36362 Nim Lane Holland, Michigan. On the back, it has a sticker of four different animals and colors. There's red, blue, green, yellow. The animals are a griffin, snake, eagle, and badger," Cortney read/spoke.
" Open it," Sarah persisted. Cortney carefully opened the envelope, taking out the letter.
" Dear Ms. C O'Donell,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy. Students shall be required to report to the Chamber of Reception upon arrival, the dates for which shall be duly advised. Please ensure that the most attention be made to the list of requirements attached here within. We are very much looking forward to reviving you as part of the new generation of Hogwarts Heritage. Yours Sincerely,
Professor McGonagall," Cortney read.
" There must be a mistake, how can I possibly be a witch. I was one for Halloween once, but I didn't think that would make a change ".
" What do you need for it? " Her dad asked. Cortney looked at the list.
"It says I need a uniform.
First years students will require:
Three sets of plain black robes.
One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear.
One pair of protective gloves, dragon hide, or something similar....is this some sort of trick? Dragons are not real," Cortney stated.
" This our first time seeing and hearing it," Sarag confirmed.
" Continued," Erin ordered.
" One winter cloak (black, silver fastening).
Coursebooks
All students will have a copy of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells ( Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk.
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot.
A Magical Theory by Albert Waffling.
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch.
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore.
Magical Draught and Potions by Arsenius Jigger.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander. The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble.
Other Equipment
1 Wand
1 Cauldron ( pewter, standard size 2 )
1 set of glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scale
Students may also bring a owl OR a cat, OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS," Cortney finished. " What are the broomsticks for? To master the art of sweeping? " Everyone laughed. Her mom got up and then came back with an open letter in her hands, she handed it to Cortney. She read it silently to herself.
" I'm adopted? " Cortney asked looking up sadly. " They didn't want me? "
" But we want you, that's why you are here in America," her mom said rubbing her back. Cortney smiled at her family.
" I know that now," Cortney said.
" You were originally from England," her dad said. Cortney began laughing.
" But that's so far away! " She laughed.
" That's how much we wanted you," Her parents coursed. The smile only grew wider.