Dani Vann

Backstory

The future looked bright the day I got my acceptance letter to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Though, if it wasn't for some persistence by the deputy headmistress and a rather plucky owl, I wouldn't have been introduced to the world of magic at all. My parents both thought it was a rather offensive insurance scheme targeted at their socially challenged oldest child. Being the introverted nerd that I was, I was enchanted by the idea of attending a wizarding school and spent the next two days camped out by the mailbox to intercept the third delivery attempt. It took some clever sneaking around to organize the transportation to the train station, and luckily I ran into a very helpful wizarding family when I got there. With their help, I managed to catch the train in time for my first year at Hogwarts! Unfortunately, I was half-way through the trip before I realized I hadn't let my parents know where I was going. I hadn't actually expected to be able to walk through the wall to platform 9 3/4, and I'd assumed I'd be home in time for supper. My little adventure would just be explained away as "riding bikes at Sarah's house."

Needless to say, the fallout was... memorable... for all of us. For me, my parents were furious and worried, and I lost bike riding privileges for the next whole summer for real. For my parents, their entire world changed and they had to cope with the new reality that not only was magic real, but their awkward 5 year old kid had ham-handed access to the forces of creation. Once the initial shock faded though, my parents were nothing but proud and supportive. I excelled in almost every academic area I put my mind to, with herbology as the notable exception, and once I was around other kids like me I found making meaningful connections a lot easier too.

Life at Hogwarts was magic; both literally and figuratively. I went through graduation day with starry eyes and visions of future adventures. I signed on as a law enforcement official through the ministry because I thought that's where I would be able to satisfy my love for novelty and excitement. My application to the academy was accepted, and I thought I was on the fast track to a meaningful career. A week before I was to report for my final screening, fitness testing, and enrollment, I received a brusque letter that I was no longer qualified due to some newly passed restrictions. Apparently some mid-management bureaucrat had run across my application and took exception to my muggle parentage.

That blow set me back on my heels. I'd been preparing for that job for a couple of years, and hadn't thought ahead far enough to make any backup plans. While I'd always excelled academically, I'd never really needed to focus my energies on any one discipline, and I didn't have anything that stood out as a focused passion. I tried teaching private music lessons for a while, and even worked as a substitute teacher in a few muggle public schools. Muggle schools couldn't hold a candle to Hogwarts though, and I just couldn't help feeling stifled that it would land me in hot water with the ministry if I used my magic to enhance their experiences.

A friend of mine got me hooked up with a gig in the ministry as an entry level analyst to help me get back on track, and I've worked my way up to the intermediate level. In my spare time I pursue more hobbies than I can count. I never managed to leave my eclectic interests behind. At least I have plenty of interesting side pursuits to keep me busy while I decide what my next steps will be. I've reenrolled here at Hogwarts as a non-traditional student to expand my knowledge, and hopefully find a spark where I can excel.