Grace Marie Edwards, one quarter veela and a witch, said goodbye to her parents, snatched her bag and jumped into the front seat of her brand new cherry red mini. It was trial day at Marlton. Two hours of sports tryouts and practice before school started next week. Grace loved school. She excelled at everything but relaxation. This was understandable as she had to keep up with both muggle school and her magical studies, plus maintain her active social and sporting life. When she met magical people, especially those her age, they always thought she was weird wanting to go to a muggle school instead of the great Hogwarts, but the truth was that Marlton was her comfort zone and she had made a deal with her parents that she would go to Hogwarts for her sixth and seventh year. She had half a year left and she was going to enjoy it. But, until then, she would stay with her family and her muggle friends.

Only a couple of streets away, James Sirius Potter was gulping down his breakfast. He remembered back to last year when McGonagall had told them about the six month experiment. Her shrill and commanding voice had filled the room. 'Next year as you know Muggle Studies is a compulsory subject for all of you. Hogwarts has decided to complete this Ministry requirement in a practical and life changing way. You shall all be assigned to, and attend a muggle school for six months starting next term'. James had been assigned to the muggle Marlton College. It wasn't too far from his house and it was day school so he had been happy. Freddie had to go to Abbott Hall – a boarding school. At least James could still stay with his parents. Today was 'trial day', whatever that was, and James had decided to take things in his stride and go for a place on Marlton's football team, mainly to keep in shape for Quidditch when he returned to Hogwarts. But as it was still holidays for the rest of his family and he was the only one with an orientation day, he had convinced a couple of his friends and Gryffindor Quidditch team mates Freddie, Luke and Will to join him, so it wouldn't be just him and a bunch of muggles.

James still had twenty minutes until his friends came. They were flooing to his house and James was going to drive them. He had got his muggle license the month before thinking it would be helpful given Marlton was a muggle school. He didn't want to be the only student not able to drive although admittedly he'd probably get his Dad to side-along apparate him to most days. James showered and changed into a pair of dark denim jeans and a white polo. He towel dried his hair and kept it messy as he grabbed his sports bag.

'Oi Jamie? We're here ya wanker!' came a voice from downstairs. 'Sorry Aunt Ginny' it added sheepishly; obviously noticing James' mother.

'Language Fred' said Ginny reminded him chuckling softly.

James bounded downstairs and bumped Fred. 'Ready to get your arse kicked?' he asked grabbing his keys heading out the door. Fred caught up.

'Just you wait Jamie' he said turning to Luke and Wills. 'You just better hope I don't charm the ball aye. You might be the star of Hogwarts Quidditch but muggle sport is different Jamie!'

They drove to Marlton, talking about Quidditch, girls and the next six months. James pulled in beside a red car where a head of strawberry blonde in a cheerleading uniform was getting out.

Fred whistled, 'You know James this mightn't be so bad for you after all. At least you got something like that to look at while you're here. Hogwarts doesn't have any like that. The Ministry might be onto something.'

James chuckled at his cousin and stared at the girl until Luke pounded his shoulder. 'Fred, buddy, she's a muggle. James is better not to get involved. It'll all just end badly. He's only here for six months.' Luke said.

'Ah well, cucks for James but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate the view now does it? Plus James is likely to leave the whole establishment heartbroken by the time he leaves at summer hols' Fred said pushing Will and Luke towards the field, 'I reckon we'll beat 'em all and then leave the crying when they realise us three aren't even students here' said Fred changing the subject and gesturing to the group of hopefuls warming up. He then spotted a group of pretty hot girls waiting by the stands. 'There's a girls team!' he squealed at James. 'Swap schools with me mate – a couple of spells and I could have a golden few months'.

'Easy mate, we're only here to keep in shape… for quidditch' James said trying not to stare.

'That one there is smokin' said Will gesturing to the group of girls changing from their cheerleading gear into football clothes.

'Wow. Cheerleaders and football players – these girls are versatile. Let's hope a couple are gymnasts too aye Will?' Luke shot him a disapproving look but Fred continued. 'Hogwarts really needs a little of that leggy brunette on the end.'

At this James shoved his best mate playfully. 'Fred you go too far my man, if they hear you I bet there's at least one kick boxer in that pack who'd be willing to whack the crap outta you.'

'James, you're not one to talk. You've like dated half the school. The other half is all guys.' Fred retorted.

'Touché' James laughed lightly as the boys headed to the locker room to get ready.

The tryouts went really well for James. To his surprise he had ended up on the team. He had decided that he really liked the game deciding to keep it up whenever after he returned to Hogwarts, well when he had holidays. The boys had showered but James was by far the fastest and told the others to meet him in the car. They weren't even changed yet. Slinging his kit over his left shoulder he walked out of the locker room he stopped when he heard a familiar tune and saw the pretty girl with the cherry red car. She had her back turned and had just picked up her phone. James realised that he still stood there eavesdropping went to walk past her.

'Hey mum. Yeah it was alright... yes I know I haven't finished my arithmancy yet… yeah I'm on my way home now… do we have to?... you know I don't like Malkins… fine I'll meet you at Diagon… I'll go home, then floo and meet you there… love you…okay bye'.

She turned and crashed into James. He grabbed her waist to stop her from falling. Embarrassed he helped her regain her balance as his cheeks flushed.

'I'm so sorry I didn't see you. Thanks for stopping my fall' she said finding her footing. 'I'm Grace'. She stuck her hand out for him to shake.

'James and I'm sorry about that, I didn't see you either.'

'Well see ya later' she said as she walked off to her car.

James waiting by his car thinking about what he'd heard. He could have sworn he heard her mention 'arithmancy' – but then again that could have been 'arithmetic', he had heard 'flooing' but that could have been easily misheard as 'going', at the world Malkin he had immediately though of Madame Malkins but then again the school was called Marlton. The one word he couldn't ignore was 'Diagon'. But she was to be a muggle, besides he would have recognised her if she had magic. He knew everyone at Hogwarts, especially all the good looking girls. James quickly dismissed the idea as he turned on his radio listening to muggle tunes float around the car.