I stared up at the train, wide-eyed, I couldn't believe it, it all seemed like a wonderful dream. It was only a few weeks ago when a letter arrived along with Professor Sprout, a witch. She said that I was a witch and was being accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It did explain a lot, like when the television exploded when I got mad, or the time when flowers sprouted all over my room. But the most impressive incident was when Professor Sprout told me I was going to learn magic.

I grinned at the memory, I had been so excited that I somehow caused everything to fly around the room, including Professor Sprout. After she cleaned everything up (with magic of course) she took me and my parents to a magical place called Diagon Alley. I loved Diagon Alley, it was full of so many amazing things, flying brooms, books that talked, magical creatures I thought didn't exist, and so many magical items that I had no idea the name or purpose.

The best part I had decided was shopping, first we had to get everything on the school list, on the list was:

Uniform

1. Three sets of plain work robes

2. One pair pointed hat

3. One pair dragon hide gloves

4. One winter cloak

Course Books

The Standard Book of spells

A History of Magic

Magical Theory

A Beginners Guide to Transfiguration

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi

Magical Drafts and Potions

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection

Magical Plants and Where to Find Them

Other Equipment

1 wand

1 cauldron

1 set glass or crystal phials

1 telescope

1 set brass scales

The most memorable experience there was by far getting my wand. Professor Sprout took me to a shop called Ollivander's, while my parents stayed back, saying that they were getting me a going away present. Mr. Ollivander was a strange man who knew a lot about wands, but he couldn't seem to find the right one for me. Instead of being put out he seemed to be overjoyed by the challenge. After trying what seemed to be the millionth wand (I had stopped counting at 73), he suddenly stopped staring off into space a look of wonder on his face. "I know the wand for you!" he exclaimed as he rushed out of the room.

He came back holding another case, but unlike the others it was gold, not blue or brown. He gingerly opened it and handed the wand to me; as soon as I touched it golden sparks flew out the end. Mr. Ollivander laughed once then suddenly became gravely serious "That wand is destined for greatness, as are you." "What do a magical core usually unicorn hairs, phoenix tail feathers, dragon heartstring, or even vela hair, but that wand is none of those"," why?" was all I could say. "All wands are unique, but this one more so, all wands have from a strand from the web of the Spider of Auraia. The ONLY wand ever made with a substance that powerful. It was made exactly two-thousand years ago to the day by my many times great-grandfather made this wand, it has been passed down through the generations, waiting for the witch or wizard to weld its power, you."

I looked down at the wand, my wand; it looked just like every other wand I had tried until I looked closer. It was made out of a dark smooth wood, but unlike any other type of wood I have seen it was shot through with streaks of gold and seemed to shimmer with magic. No one spoke for a moment until Professor Sprout broke the silence "So…how much will that be?" "No need to pay m'dear." He said as he turned to me "Just take good care of it, it would be in your best interest if no one knew how powerful it is, for your safety, we wizards can be greedy you see." "Yes we should be going" Professor Sprout said suddenly "I see your parents coming." I turned back to thank him but Mr. Ollivander was gone.

When we got out of the shop Professor Sprout spoke to me quickly "He's right about one thing, if what he says is true than you better not reveal the powers of your wand to anyone." "Professor what is the Spider of Auraia?" She took a shaky breath "I'm not sure, I thought it was just a legend." That was all she had time to say before my parents arrived.

I had made an unconscious agreement not to inform my parents about my wand, so when they arrived I did my best to act normal. I may have been over doing it a bit but they probable thought it was just excitement (which in a way it was). In an attempt to appear normal I bought a few other magical books and items including color changing ink, a self-straightening brush (boy did I need it), and a tiny model dragon that actually moves, bites, and breaths (non-burning) fire. Well I wanted them too.

Adding them to the magical items my parents had gotten me as a gift, a magic expanding trunk and a special type moleskin pouch for my allowance. My mum explained how it works "You put a certain amount of money in and you tell the pouch how much to give each week. If you don't spend the money that week it'll give you the money next week along with next week's allowance." "Two questions Mum, First how did you know that and Second, how much money is in there?"

My mum laughed as we started to walk down the street "First, a nice wizard took pity on a couple of confused muggles and showed us, explaining what they did. And second it's the same as your allowance at home, just Galleons instead of pounds."

When it was time to leave I asked Professor Sprout "How can I get back their later? I don't know any magic yet?" "Oh, it's easy it doesn't count as real magic to open the door, because remember underage witches can't do magic outside of school. So the Ministry made a special law, all you have to do is tap the wall with your wand to get in." As she turned to leave I surprised her with a hug "Thanks for everything Professor." She smiled back "Your welcome dear" then she took a step back and with a popping noise she was gone.

I was jolted out of the memory by the trains whistle Oops I thought it's time to board, quickly. I climbed onboard hurriedly looking for an empty compartment, halfway down the train I gave up looking, instead I slid into the nearest one. Inside were a red-haired girl and a rather greasy looking boy. "Hello" I said rather shyly "Do you mind if I sit here, everywhere else is full." The dark haired boy looked like he did indeed mind but she just said "Of course we don't mind, I'm Lily Evans and this is Severus." "I'm Kariana Auden"

Although Severus seemed to resent my presence Lily was friendly and we were soon talking like old friends.

"I'm a first year and so is Sev, what are you Kariana?'

"I'm a first year too, I didn't even know I was I witch until a few weeks ago."

"Oh, so you're a muggleborn too"

"Muggleborn?"

"It means your parents aren't magical."

"Are your parents' muggles?"

"Yeah, but Sev's mum is a witch and he told me about everything when he figured out that I'm a witch too, he's my neighbor."

"How did you figure out that she's a witch?" I said turning to Severus

"It's easy if you know what to look for, all those weird things you can do, especially if you're angry or scared. Their easy to spot, it's a sure sign that someone can do magic."

"Oh yeah I remember those, one time flowers sprouted all over my room and stayed there for weeks."

Lily and I soon got into a discussion comparing the magic we've done.

"I turned my own hair purple last Halloween when I forgot a costume, and then fake wings sprouted out of my back. I freaked"

"That's nothing, Kari I turned my mum purple when she yelled at me."

"Well I blew up the kitchen!"

"YOU WHAT!"

"Hey I didn't mean to Lily, I just got really mad once, no one was hurt that bad."

"I was going to tell you about the time I walked on water but I've never blown up anything before. You win."

"Ha!"

Suddenly a voice rang out from the hallway "Anything from the trolley?" I jumped up starving' grabbing a handful of sickles and knuts as I went. Unfortunately the trolley already had a crowd, a group of three boys. Two were being rather loud and noisy, not to mention destructive but the other was just standing their contemplating the snacks. After waiting for quite a few moments for them to move I pushed through them and asked for a pumpkin pastry. I was about to pay when the loudest (and cutest) boy placed a few sickles on the counter saying "It's on me." with a cocky grin. Giving him my most withering look I shoved his money back at him before placing my own money on the counter then walking away without a word.

I heard their voices behind me

"Smooth Sirius real smooth"

"Hey she was cute!"

"You don't have a chance, she's too good for you"

"We'll see about that"

They I thought as I slammed the compartment door closed are trouble.