Even over al the noise, Felicia's words echoed in the cavernous gym. "She's . . . she's a witch!"I sighed. "Not again.
-- Narrator and Felicia (Prologue paragraph 6)

Importance: This establishes the basic premise of Sophie's status as a witch as well as the fact that she has made similar mistakes in the past.

The purpose of Hecate Hall is to protect and instruct shapeshifters, witch, and fae children who have risked exposure of their abilities, and therefore imperiled Prodigium society as a whole.
-- Narrator (Chapter 1 paragraph 2)

Importance: This clearly describes the purpose of Hecate and the types of beings who attend it.

This is why all of you are here. This is what you all risked when you recklessly used your powers in the presence of humans. And for what?" She looked around the room. "To gain acceptance? To show off?" Her eyes fell on me for a second before she continued. "We've been persecuted unto death by humans who will happily...
-- Mrs. Casnoff (Chapter 7 paragraph 3)