Here is a story that has been and continues to be a labour of love, I hope you enjoy it and of course I own nothing but Elizabeth everything else belongs to JK Rowling.


Elizabeth stepped through the fire into an office; unlike any other she had ever seen. The office was full of portraits, the shelves full of books and documents on every surface, covered in new and strange things. The bird behind the desk drew her attention with a beautiful song. As she walked over to it a door opened upstairs behind the desk. "Welcome Miss Granger" the new voice dragged her attention away from the bird only to find a kind elderly man walking down the stairs towards her.

"Now my dear, please have a seat, would you like a Lemon Drop?" he asked ever so surprisingly. Elizabeth didn't know what to say, but she followed his instructions and sat in the plush chair he had indicated.

"Forgive me Sir, but are you Professor Dumbledore?" she asked rather uncomfortably, sitting on the edge of the chair.

"Why yes my dear, I am. Now shall we get down to business?" He replied whilst shuffling the rolls around on his desk.

"Now today we are going to get you to show us what you know in relation to your classes. This will help us determine what year you should be placed in. Now each professor will come up here and ask you to either perform a spell or verbalise answers. You are to answer all questions as best you can and once this is done we shall sort you into your new house. " Elizabeth just nodded along, one of the Professors; the lady who came to her house a week ago had explained it all to her and her parents. She was hoping to enter 4th year, as that was where she should be for her age. However there was no guarantee that her previous school did things the same way as Hogwarts.

"Yes Professor I understand, can we please get started. I still have things to unpack at home." Upon answering she heard a knock on the door. When the door opened she turned to see the Professor that had visited her house.

"Professor McGonagall, I believe you have meet Miss Granger." Dumbledore asked the newcomer.

"As you very well know I have Professor. Now Miss Granger, I shall be testing you in Transfiguration. Please stand and come here, I have a task for you to complete."

Elizabeth slid from her seat and walked over to one of the tables situated in the middle of the room where Professor McGonagall had objects laid out. As she drew closer she fingered her wand in her pocket, ready to draw it when asked. "Now Miss Granger please draw your wand and show me the correct wand movement to get a match to a needle." If that was the first question Elizabeth was happy to do so, she showed McGonagall and then proceeded to complete the rest of the Transfiguration test with little trouble.

Once this test was completed Professor McGonagall turned to the Headmaster, "Her skills place her into my fourth year class. She passed." She turned back to Elizabeth and simply smiled at her before walking to the door.

Upon opening it, a man was seen to be lurking outside waiting to enter the office. "Severus, please come in and meet our newest student, Miss Granger." If looks could melt a person, Elizabeth was sure she would be a puddle on the floor by now. The look he was giving her was one of utter detest.

"Good Morning Professor it is a pleasure to meet you" Elizabeth held out her hand to the Professor but he simple looked at her and started to ask her Potions questions. This was one of her best classes and she had no issues answering the questions laid out before her, surprising the two Professors in the room though neither showed it.

After the rapid fire of questions finished Professor Snape turned and stated simply "she has passed to 4th year at least in the theory." Before he swept out of the room, almost knocking over the small man outside.

The rest of her time in the Headmasters office passed in much the same manner. With either the Professor responsible for the subject or Professor Dumbledore himself testing her skill set. She had no issues with Charms and very few problems with Defence Against the Dark Arts but as those in fourth year hadn't really had any consistent teaching she wasn't to concerned. She passed History with little worries as much of the worlds magical history was similar, the only subject that she struggled with was Herbology, common English plants confused her and unless used in a potion she had made herself she couldn't identify them. No matter how she went all the Professors left the same recommendation 4th year.

"Congratulations Miss Granger, you have passed the tests laid out before you and it is the Professors of this school's recommendation that you be placed in 4th year. Now to sort you into one of the four houses here at Hogwarts." Elizabeth's excitement at being placed in 4th year was short lived, when she realised she didn't know what she would be asked to do to be sorted. Her question was soon answered as Professor Dumbledore pointed to an aging hat that had been placed on his desk. "Please my dear, put that hat on, it will determine what house you are to belong." What harm could a hat do she thought as she lent forward and put it on.

"Interesting, very interesting your mind is not what one would expect from your family. Though I think we shall see you follow in the foot steps of your cousins and aunt by stepping out of the shadows."

"What are you saying, Hermione is my only magical relative, who are the others? I am a muggle-born. I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Child, you have a family history that is long and distinguished but I am not the one to tell you. My job is to place you, but where? You are loyal and brave, you are bright and patient but you hold traits of all houses."

"Please place me where I can be of help to others and learn the most." Elizabeth was scared, why didn't the hat know where to place her, was she to sit here forever whilst it decides.

"Very well, make it, GRYFFINDOR!"

"Take off the hat my dear, you are to join Gryffindor," as Dumbledore spoke Elizabeth removed the hat and placed it back on the headmasters desk. "I will get Professor McGonagall to show you how to get into Diagon Alley sometime in the next few days. For when you need to buy your supplies, you will need to head there."

"Thank you Professor, I hope I am not an inconvenience for Professor McGonagall and I am very much looking forward to seeing the Wizarding World here in England." She thought for a moment before adding, "Professor if you don't mind me asking though, the Sorting Hat informed me that I come from a family with a long and distinguished history, would you be able to tell me about them."

"My dear, I am sorry but I am not able to tell you, as I am only just becoming aware of your history myself. If I am able to find out anything then I will try my best to inform you." His answer was not what Elizabeth hoped for but it was a start, clearly she had a magical background and until she knew more, she wouldn't ask her parents.

A few days later Elizabeth looked at all her purchases and smiled. This was it, she was really going back to school, a new school. She was excited and had managed to get a longer list of books then she was suppose too. But she was excited to learn and ready to catch up in the few subjects that she had struggled in. Earlier that day she and her parents had meet Professor McGonagall at a place called the Leaky Cauldron, the pub guarding the entrance to Diagon Alley. Upon arrival she was handed her book list and taken to the Gringotts Bank where money was exchanged, all items on the list were purchased along with many more. Professor McGonagall was not at all what Elizabeth thought she would be. True she didn't outright laugh but she always had a small smile on her face and greeted many people as they shopped. Elizabeth also learnt a great deal about the Wizarding World in England and in turn shared her experiences of the Australian Wizarding world with her Professor.

As McGonagall left them, she told Elizabeth that her ticket would be posted to her via owl when everyone else's book lists went out, as she would be staying with her cousin Hermione for the rest of the summer. As she packed her trunk she thought how strange it was, now knowing that Hermione was just like her and would be with her when she started at Hogwarts. She couldn't help but feel excited knowing that thanks to her cousin; she would already know people when she got to school. She had also been invited to go the World Cup with the family Hermione would be spending the rest of the holidays with.


This story has been planned and re planned, pushed and pulled in all directions to the point that I wasn't too sure if I would ever publish it. Now I can finally say that Managing Mischief is posted and ready to read, thanks to some wonderful people. JK Rowling who created such fantastic characters and has created a world worthy of playing in. Then of course my fabulous friend Erica who has had many late night long chats about all the little and big plot holes I seem to have found along the way as well as helping me fix them. Lastly I would like to thank my Beta Matthew who whilst he came later to this adventure he has stuck with it and even helped push me to keep going.