Chapter 1: Reasons I Am Not Perfect and Cause Trouble

He looked at me. All the worry, pain and stress all went away when I saw his messy hair and heard his familiar gasp of breath. Even though we were standing in a room full of people and we were at opposite sides of the room, it was like I could almost feel his heartbeat from here. He pushed his way through the crowd, ignoring the protests following him like a wave. His gaze never left mine. I stood, transfixed as he now stood only inches away from me.

His breath made my hair fly around me. His eyes looked intently into mine as we stood there for a few moments that felt like years. And then suddenly, his strong arms snaked around my waist and he crashed his lips to my own. I reacted so suddenly. I felt like I had been starving and didn't even notice until I felt what it was like to have him again. I felt like I had been drowning and he was my air. I felt like I had been sleeping and I had just woke up. I wrapped my fingers in his hair and just breathed in the scent of him – winter, pine trees and for some reason, like the sandy and salty beaches back home. My lips were in synch with his and we ignored everything that had happened before, all the pain and confusion. Because he was mine.

And this moment was ours.

Story:

Breath. C'mon. Just take a deep breath…

Let's just say, I'm super nervous. Transferring to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in my sixth year? Not a good idea. Everyone already knows everyone and I'll be the lonely freak. Well, I'm not transferring – more like, exchanging. There was this competition at the Australian Institute of Magic and Hogwarts – whoever the two winners were completely swapped lives. We swapped schools, school houses, dorms – everything. But I did get to choose my own classes and the exchange was for one year only.

But, you don't even know who I am, do you?

Well, my name is Madison Taylor, or as people call me, Maddie. Growing up on the perfect beaches of Sydney, Australia has been kind to my now golden skin – but that killer tan totally went away when I landed in England. I guess you might want to know what I look like. Well, I have dirty blonde hair that's got these cool gold streaks from the sun. I have boring brown eyes and usually my skin is golden and tan but now, it's pale from not being exposed to the sun. I guess I'm pretty tall for my age (16) and have an athletic build. I'm not the skinniest person but in no way am I fat - size eight or ten? My curves are basically non-existent. I guess I'm average in the pretty department. Well, that was my attempt at telling you what I look like. Let's get back to the story now.

Exchanging to Hogwarts sounded cool. I mean, who wouldn't want to walk the very halls that Harry Potter did? It's just that… I didn't actually want to sign up for the competition that decided if you were in the running to exchange. My best friends, Able, Sadie and Max all tricked me into doing it. I made a bet with them and… let's just say, that I lost. So, I entered the competition, not thinking that a chance in hell I'd pass the first test and second challenge, let alone the interview stage and then have my name drawn out of a hat! All of the people who signed up had to complete this boring and really long test. If you passed, you moved onto the challenge… which was going through this scary, elaborate and trapped haunted house/ maze. If you went into all the rooms, defeated every challenge and came out of the house in the top 20, you went through to the interview stage! Which was just our Head, Mr Tollin, asking us questions and seeing if we were 'right for Hogwarts'. Miraculously, even with all of the black marks on my record (black marks from sneaking out, pranking people, and pulling jokes etc. – nothing serious) I made it in the top 10! Then, one name was drawn at random and voila! It was mine! Yay! Right? No. Not yay.

But now I was so anxious. I mean, me, at Hogwarts? What a totally disastrous idea.

I mean, Hogwarts is legendary. Harry Potter, Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape, Voldemort – the most famous wizards of all time went there. Growing up so far away from England and the great Battle of Hogwarts, you hear many, many, many different things. Like sometimes, they say that Harry Potter and Voldemort were actually secret lovers. Or some say that Voldemort committed suicide and Harry just stood there and took all the credit. Some even go as far to say that Dumbledore was actually the bad guy and just pinned it all on Voldemort. There are even some stories that say Snape is actually Harry's father and he carried a gun with him and wore cowboy boots. But anyway. That's beside the point.

So there I was, walking down the majestic and legendary halls of Hogwarts.

And I was shitting myself. I was fidgeting with nervous energy and I kept glancing at Ms McGonagall out the corner of my eye. I mean, Professor McGonagall. I mean, Headmistress McGonagall. It's so hard to keep track. As I glanced around the grand and antique building, I felt cold.

This wasn't home. This wasn't the Australian Institute of Magic, with its big windows, outdoor and indoor pool, sports centre, tech lab, beach view and modern dorms. And it certainly didn't smell like fresh air and salty beaches. But it was still just. So. Cool.

I squealed a little and Headmistress McGonagall chuckled slightly.

"Sorry. It's just, this isn't at all like the Australian Institute. Do you have a tech lab?" I asked, looking at McGonagall's wary and lined face. Confusion laced her eyes and she shook her head.

"Not at Hogwarts, I'm afraid. Here, everything is done old school. Like the rest of the magical world," McGonagall stated. Way to go. Just totally insult the Australian Institute.

"Old school. Really. That's not obvious at all," I muttered, looking down at my robes and cauldron full of ink bottles and quills. McGonagall cleared her throat and I muttered an apology. I brushed my golden blonde hair behind my ear and looked at the floor.

"Well. You will be introduced to the rest of Hogwarts in the Grand Hall. All of the students are currently arriving for the start of the school year as we speak. Now, Madison. You won the competition at your school to exchange here. I expect you take this opportunity and use it well. One of our best students exchanged with you and I expect you to be just as bright and disciplined," McGonagall lectured. She seemed like one of those strict but nice teachers. But she was seriously deranged if she thought I was some perfect student who caused no trouble.

Reasons Why I Am Not Perfect And Cause Trouble:

1. I am a massive clutz when it comes to important stuff. Seriously. It's like if I even look at a vase, it'll break – just to spite me. I can sneak around easily but when I'm walking down in front of a crowd, I'll bet you I'll fall.

2. My grades aren't so good. Sport? Quidditch? Yeah, I'm really good. But when it comes to Herbology and History of Magic? I get so many P's (poor) it's like I'm that assistant from Mr Poppers' Penguins.

3. If there was a choice between following the rules completely… or pranking people with the risk of getting caught and expelled… pranking would win. Every time.

4. I have a big mouth. I can't not say something if it pops into my head. I just blurt things out which is sometimes good… but mostly bad.

5. Forget wands and spells – sarcasm is the only weapon I'll ever need.

6. I'm an adrenaline junky. I don't care. If I sneak out of the dorms at night, I make sure I make as much noise as possible so I can feel the rush of almost getting caught by patrols. Because, let's be real – I never get caught.

7. Oh, and I'm also extremely arrogant and proud. Just thought I'd add that in…

"Miss Taylor! Are you even listening?" McGonagall glared and scolded at me accusingly. I shrugged.

"I don't even know. Probably not, seeing as how I can't exactly recall what you were saying…"

After that, I got this full on lecture about manners the rest of the way to the Grand Hall. Kill me now. Maybe Hogwarts won't be fun after all…

Who am I kidding? It'll be hella fun!

I'm still shitting myself, btw.

I waited anxiously outside the entrance of the Grand Hall. I fidgeted with my wand which was in the front pockets of my robe. 10 ¾ inches, made of ash and had a veela core. Apparently, I'll be unpredictable and powerful. Huh. Unpredictable, I can deal with. Powerful? Not so much.

All of the First Years were still getting sorted but right after that, before the feast, I'll be introduced to the entire school body. The doors will be thrust open and the silence will follow as I walk my way down the centre, looking serene and smug and pretty (hopefully) all at the same time.

Great. Because I'm totally gung ho for dramatic entrances.

So, there I was, just standing there all alone (besides this creepy cat which was licking itself in a corner) when this – there are no other words to describe him – giant walked up to me. He had unruly, dark hair that frizzed and a small goatee on his chin. His clothes were ragged and dirty but his face was open and youthful. His eyes were a warm and friendly brown colour and he shrieked very loudly when he saw me.

"I am so sorry! I… me dad couldn't drop me off any earlier and me mum wouldn't let go of me when I finally did start to leave and- sorry. Maybe I could sneak in, Professor…?" the giant boy asked. I snorted when I realised he thought I was some Professor on duty.

Putting on my best stern face and fake English accent, I decided to scare him.

"You are very late! How many times must I tell students to be on time! My name is Professor Hunt! I have been your teacher for years now!" I squealed, waving my arms about, trying and failing to stare him down. He was too darn tall!

"I… I didn't mean to! My dad… he works here! He'll tell you! Please, I am begging you! Don't… expel me…" the boy sniffed as I burst out laughing.

"Just… messing with… you," I gasped between fits of giggles. The boy tilted his head.

"Australian, are you? 'Put another shrimp on the barby!'" the boy grunted in what I thought at the time was an impression of a walrus. But no, it was his impression of an Australian accent.

I suddenly stopped laughing, looked him dead in the eye and pointed.

"Never say that to me again, understand?" I said. The boy chuckled.

"Why not?"

"Because a) we don't say shrimp, we say prawns. B) that is not what an Australian accent even remotely sounds like! And c). Most of the time, we say barbeque. Not barby," I kept staring at him the entire time, trying to stare him down again.

"Fine," he held his hands up in mock fear, "I surrender!"

We both started laughing as he held out his hand.

"Johnathon. Johnathon Hagrid. Well, mostly people call me Jonny," I shook Jonny's hand, recalling a memory from the back of my mind. After pondering, it suddenly clicked.

"As in, Rubius Hagrid? The famous wizard who helped defeat Voldemort? Wow. He's your dad? That is so cool!" I shook his hand again, in awe, not believing he was right in front of me. "My little brother adores Hagrid. I'm Maddie. The exchange student?" I replied, smiling so big. My little brother, Ollie, would love this. This is the first thing I'm going to tell him when I- oh yeah. He's at home. With mum and dad. And Adrian. And Jeremy. And Lucy. The ache of being away from my family hit me like a train. Pools of unshed tears gathered in my eyes and I quickly blinked them away. So stupid! Who can start to cry so easily and randomly? Me, apparently.

"Sorry," I sniffed, wiping the tears away. "Homesick." I laughed an embarrassed laugh and stared into the bright lantern on the wall, making the tears go away.

Jonny nodded as if he understood. We stood there, just like that for a couple of minutes. I was just about to break the silence when someone rounded in on us, coming from around the corner. His black hair was slicked back and his robes matched his hair in colour. He was very tall and sickly thin with thin lips and a small nose. But he was young, only in his mid-twenties at latest. He looked kind of scary – especially when his dark eyes blazed with anger when he saw Jonny.

"Jonny! You missed the First Year Welcome? Again? Now, you come with me, back to the Grand Hall" the man grabbed Jonny's arm and tried to haul Jonny away but Jonny was far too strong. After more huffing and pulling from the man and silent giggles from me, Jonny finally caved.

"Sorry Professor Gerard. Won't happen again," Jonny said, smiling. Professor Gerard cracked a smile and started chuckling with Jonny and me. They both walked off around the same corner, joking and laughing. I was so shocked to see such a friendly relationship between the teachers and students. Don't get me wrong, the Australian Institute had nice teachers… but they would never laugh and joke with you like an equal.

As I was mulling all of this over, the grand, double doors suddenly flung open. The light of millions of candles blinded me for a second, before I got my footing.

"Please, put your hands together, for Madison Taylor, Hogwarts' first ever exchange student!" McGonagall said loudly as I saw hundreds of people all shuffle in their seats to get a good look at me. Whispers, chants, cat-calls and clapping filled my ears and the hall.

C'mon, Maddie. Hold you head high.

So I smiled big and took my first step into the best, biggest, most fun and thrilling adventure of my life.

AU: Please review plus comment! First fanfic so please, no hate! Thanks for reading (The chapters get more juicy and long, I promise)! Also, I don't own JK Rowling's work. Only my characters and my plot :):):)

Thanks,

Kat xx