It felt good to hear from someone she knew would be honest with her that she was sounding less American. Not that there was anything wrong with sounding American, it was just easier to feel like she was the same as everyone else. "Well, thank you. I'll keep working on it and I bet by this time next year, it will be even better."

She couldn't help but nod as Professor Stewart spoke of her wanting to excel. It was more true than she realized. She really did want to be the best she could be. "I really will try to keep that in mind. I know it's not a good thing to compare myself to the other students, but..." She paused and took a deep breath. "No, you are right. I am my greatest competitor and I will strive to be the best I can be." It took a bit of the pressure off to leave the others out of the equation. "Thank you for being here for me." She said with a smile of gratitude. Relief washed over her at the next words spoken. To know that she would have a place to live and learn for the next five years was a massive weight off her shoulders. A lone tear fell from her eye and slowly streaked down her face in a speechless moment. All she could do was close her eyes and let the words sink in.

At the mention of her parents, her eyes slowly opened and she refocused on Professor Stewart. "My parents." Her hands folded in her lap. "I think I mentioned last year that they were not happy with me attending Hogwarts. They had dropped me off to catch the Hogwarts Express and let it be known that I would not be welcome back if I chose this life." She stretched her fingers out then rubbed her palms on her legs. "I haven't seen them since that day. I tried over the summer to get in contact, but they wouldn't respond to my letters." Her palms smacked against her thighs. "It's okay. I'm okay. I've found places to stay over summer holiday and odd jobs that have covered books for the next term. I'll do it again every summer until I graduate from Hogwarts." She was very determined to make it without their help or support.