Chapter One: Going Home

As the plane touched down in London, England a sheet of thick gray clouds released walnut sized raindrops, and in the distance a low rumble indicated the arrival of thunder and lightening. Seated comfortably on the plane were Edric, Alicia, Garrick, and Charity Appleby. These four individuals were abnormal by standards of any other passenger aboard the plane, for they were magical.

Charity, the youngest child of Edric and Alicia, gazed out the window of the airplane lost in thought of how different her life was going to be in Europe. Nearby, Alicia and Edric were excited to be back home, but they still noticed their daughter's heartache. After all, they knew it was hard to leave all of her friends in New York; friends she had since starting school eight years previous.

During the first war against Voldemort, Alicia and Edric's families had moved to America. Now in the summer of 1996, their family was moving back to England, so Edric could begin his role as Duke of Appleby Castle.

Charity would start sixth year in September at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and turn seventeen in December, and in all probability one of the most talented. Charity's special talent was the ability to do wandless magic, a very complex form of magic especially for someone so youthful.

Garrick, Charity's older brother, just graduated from New York School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, so he was a fully trained wizard and could do magic whenever he wanted.

Charity was startled out of her thoughts by her mother's soothing voice. "Charity it's time to go, grab your satchel dear." Charity took hold of her carry-on and followed her brother off the plane; tremendously glad the plane departed directly into the terminal.

After the Applebys gathering their luggage they spotted a man holding a sign labeled "Appleby." The gentleman escorted them outside to an awaiting limousine, and the driver informed them he would take them to Appleby Castle as he loaded their luggage into the boot. They arrived at an immense castle in a short time where Edric's father Irving and his stepmother Kenda promptly greeted them.

"GRANDPA! GRANDMA!" Garrick roared while running to give Irving and Kenda a hug.

After greeting Garrick, Irving and Kenda walked the rest of the way to the car to welcome Edric and Alicia who were standing just outside the car door.

"Where's Charity?" Irving queried while he looked in the darkly tinted windows of the limousine.

"I'm right her grandpa," Charity declared while elegantly climbing out of the car.

The look on her grandparent's faces explained exactly what they were thinking; she was gorgeous. Charity had silky, light brown hair with bouncy curls ending just above her backside, crystal blue eyes, milky white skin, a figure to die for, and legs that never seemed to end.

"Hello," she said while giving them both a hug and a kiss.

"You're absolutely beautiful my dear," Kenda professed.

"Stunning is more like it," retorted Irving, while he led them inside to get settled.

The rest of the evening was spent touring the castle, catching up with each other, and unpacking.