Chapter 1

My name is Aubrey Chase, and I am a very complicated person. Even though I aspire to be a simple one.

I am known as Bree, am going into my sixth year at Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and am a muggle-born witch. Having been brought up learning Maths and Science, it was very complicated having to cope to a world of magic. And it was even worse for me.

You see, one of the most complicated things about me is that I'm half-werewolf. Not fully werewolf, but not quite human either. You see, I was bitten by a werewolf one night when I was in a meadow near my house, looking at the stars. I love the stars. But, I was bitten as the werewolf turned back into a human. This means that although I do not turn into a werewolf, I have some wolfish qualities around the full moon.

Another complicated thing about me is my family. My brother, Ethan, is a Muggle. We were close until I was discovered to be a Witch. Now he refuses to speak to me. My Mother left my Father when I was six. I have never seen her since. I live with my Dad, who I was always very close to. However, the fact that I am away for most of the year has put a strain on our relationship. So much so that during the holidays I am generally left alone in my room. I have to cope on the Full moon alone. Without my best friend or my family at my side.

My best friend is a pureblood witch called Laura White. She sees the world very simply. To her, everything is black or white, with no shades of grey in between. She is a different sort of beautiful, understated, natural. She is quite clever, and extremely shy. But she's also incredibly funny, if you take the time to get to know her.

I was even complicated to the Sorting Hat. It didn't know where to put me. Obviously not Slytherin, since I was a 'Mudblood' to them. It said I could have gone into any of the other three. I have Brains, and am organised. This is why my favourite subjects are those often classed as the most difficult: Astronomy, Potions, Transfiguration, Charms, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes. I hate Defence Against the Dark Arts, I only carried it on to NEWT level as I think it useful. However, the Sorting Hat also labelled me as Brave, and Loyal. But I already knew where I wanted to be. Hufflepuff. I saw Hufflepuff as a house which would always accept you, no matter what. And so, I decided to become a Hufflepuff. That was where I met Laura, and we became friends.

Another complicated thing about me is that I am in love with a Potter. Of course, everyone says that they are in love with a Potter. But mostly, they choose James Potter. I, however, chose Albus Potter. And I've stuck by that choice throughout my entire schooling career, since my third year. He's attractive in a geeky sort of way, slightly awkward and quite shy. He looks as though he needs to be mothered. However, he has a fire in his eyes which suggests that there is more to him than you could guess.

The complicated part of that is that I know that he will never notice me. I am too ordinary. Nothing special. And too shy. Just like Laura. That was why we became friends in the first place. We are both content to sit at the wayside, reading a good book. I never talk to Albus Potter. In fact, I generally hide when he walks by, or blush. I know it is hopeless. Despite being shy, Albus is very desirable. I expect he has a fan-club, just like his older brother James Potter. That is why I always avoid him. Because my looks are simply just average.

I have brown wavy hair, which has a kink which refuses to right itself. I am quite tall, and slim, with baby-blue eyes. I am freckled, and tend to bite my nails when nervous. Frankly, I am the sort of person no-one would ever want to notice.

At this moment, I am waiting in a Hogwart's Train compartment for Laura. We always sit together, choosing a compartment away from everyone else. But this year, I arrived before her, and so am sat alone, waiting.

I have a book on my lap, inviting me to read it, but for once I am not ready to lose myself in it's pages. I am too busy in the real world, wondering, just wondering.

'Excuse me, but can I sit here please?' I was broken out of my daydreaming by a smiling Laura, who had just knocked on the compartment door.

'Laura!' I exclaimed, jumping up to hug her briefly before sitting back down. 'How was your summer?'

'Good, thanks Bree. What about you? Ethan still being a pain?' she asked in a soft voice. I nodded, trying to ignore the tears welling in my eyes.

'We used to be so close? I don't know why he can't just face the fact that I'm a Witch' I complained. Laura nodded compassionately, even though she's heard this a million times before. But then again, what are best friends for?

'He'll get over it eventually. Anyway, are you looking forward to Sixth Year?' she changed the subject deftly. I pretended I didn't notice.

'Sort of. I decided this year I was going to do all the things I always said I would do, so I wrote a list about it' I told her. You see, I like to write lists. I do so in order to vent, or suggest things I would never normally do. It keeps me sane, and it's my version of writing a diary. I've done it for as long as I can remember, and I keep all my lists in a small book. Some of them are incredibly old, some more recent.

'Can I see?' asked Laura shyly. She knows that some of my lists are private, and therefore allows me to choose whether I want to let her see them or not. This time, I decide that she can, and nod quickly, giving her my permission. I take out my book, flipping it to the last page I had written on, allowing Laura to read the list.

Things that I, Aubrey Chase, need to do before I leave school

1) Learn how to get into the Kitchens.

2) Discover if the Come and Go Room really exists

3) Learn how to create a Patronus correctly

4) Sneak out after Curfew

5) Visit a different Common Room, though not the Slytherin Dungeon

6) Give a teacher an interesting reason for being late for a class

7) Swim in the Lake

8) Speak to Albus Potter, and hopefully befriend him

9) Get a boyfriend (preferably Albus Potter)

10) Spend all night in the Astronomy Tower

I was quite proud of this list. It had some hopefully achievable points on it, though I doubted I would be able to manage some, such as Numbers 6, 8 and 9. But I would definitely try. Laura is looking with scarcely concealed delight at my list.

'Bree, this is brilliant! You have to complete the list!' she told me. I smiled slightly.

'I'll try' I promised. At that moment, there was a knock on the door, and I could see the shadows of three girls through the glass panels. Laura and I looked at each other curiously, before beckoning the unknown girls in.

Through the door waltzed the three Gryffindor Darlings- Jane McKinnon, Rose Weasley and Alice Longbottom II.

Jane McKinnon was easily the most beautiful girl in the school. She had red hair, and a slightly round face, and was very brave. Last year, she had dislocated both her left elbow and shoulder in a Quidditch accident and not cried once. Most importantly, Jane McKinnon was kind. Everyone liked Jane McKinnon. It had come as no surprise to most then, that she was the girlfriend of James Potter II.

Everyone also liked Alice Longbottom, who was incredibly small and similar to a pixie, with a wide smile and brown hair framing her face. However, everyone knew not to underestimate her after they watched her duel a Slytherin last year. She had been scarily good, and no-one doubted her abilities now. She was extremely good friends with Lysander Scamander, and most presumed that they would get together at some point.

Rose Weasley shared red hair with Jane, though hers was much more frizzy. She was the smartest girl in my year, and most thought she should have been in Ravenclaw. Apparently, she was the reincarnate of Lily Evans, and spent most of her time shouting at Scorpius Malfoy, who had decided that he was in love with her. However, she had 'no time for boys' and had never had a boyfriend.

The three girls were hovering uncertainly in the doorway, unsure as to why we were staring at them with abject surprise.

'Um, everyone else is full, and we were wondering whether we could join you?' asked Jane after a suitable pause. Laura and I looked at each other.

'Yes, of course' answered Laura quietly. The three Gryffindors entered the compartment, plonking themselves down on seats. Alice had a cat squirming in her arms.

'I'm Jane McKinnon' said Jane when the silence was becoming awkward, holding out her hand, which we both took uncertainly.

'Rose Weasley' drawled Rose.

'And I'm Alice Fields' finished Alice. They must of known that we knew who they were but decided to be polite anyway.

'I'm Bree Chase' I introduced myself.

'Laura White' murmured Laura. The girls looked at us.

'You're in our year, but Hufflepuff's, right?' clarified Jane. Slowly, I nodded.

'Thought so' said Alice. 'We all have quite a few classes with you.' Again, I nodded. This was quickly becoming the most awkward situation I had ever been placed in.

'Sooo, what's your favourite lesson?' asked Rose in an attempt to break the silence once more. I perked up slightly at this question.

'Astronomy, definitely' I said eagerly.

'Bree's an Astronomy nerd' said Laura. I scowled slightly, not liking Alice, Rose and Jane's laughter, even though I knew it wasn't directed at me as such.

'It's fun!' I protested. Jane smiled.

'I know. I enjoy it too, but find it quite difficult' she explained.

'Well, my Father is a muggle astro-physicist, and he taught me a lot about physics and stars' I told them. Jane lent forward.

'What's physics?' she asked curiously. I had forgotten she a pureblood.

'Um, Physics is a subject taught only by Muggles as a Science, and you learn about matter, energy, force and motion and the way they relate to each other' I told them. They looked quite impressed.

'That sounds quite complex' said Rose in an impressed voice.

'It's not so bad if you've learnt it your whole life' I shrugged. To me, Physics was natural.

'Whatever you say' said Alice. They looked at Laura, who had remained quiet.

'What's your favourite subject?' asked Jane kindly. Laura blushed slightly, but answered none the less.

'It's probably Herbology' she told them. Alice beamed.

'Of course! My Dad always says that his prize pupil is a sixth-year Hufflepuff, but wouldn't tell me who! It's got to be you!' she enthused. Laura gave a tinkling laugh, hiding behind her mass of hair.

'What about you?' I asked, eager to continue the conversation now that we were actually talking.

'Mine's Defence Against the Dark Arts' said Alice immediately. Well, that was no surprise. After seeing her duel, there could have been no other favourite subject for her. I nodded, and Rose continued.

'I quite enjoy Potions' she told us. Again, no surprise. Rose was said to have inherited her Mother's talent for Potions plus a knack for it that many just didn't have.

'I like Muggle Studies' said Jane hesitantly. 'I know many see it as a soft subject, but it's fascinating for me, since I'm pureblood'

'It's not a soft subject' I protested. 'Not for purebloods. I mean, most of you have never even heard of a television, and Muggles are brought up on it'

'Oh, we're supposed to learn about televisions soon! I can't wait!' she said eagerly. Her friends simply shook their heads, but I understood her point of view. After all, was this world of magic not incredibly strange to me, even though I've lived in it for six years?

We passed the rest of the journey in a companionable chatter, bonding slightly. Laura and I were quiet, especially Laura, but we enjoyed chatting to the Gryffindor's, even Rose who could become slightly over-bearing at times. Eventually, the train drew into the station.

'Oh, good, we're here!' said Alice. Laura nodded, beaming. She loved returning to the castle. Jane had already left, ushering the first years towards Hagrid in her capacity as Prefect. Rose and Alice turned to us.

'I hope we see you in some of our lessons' said Rose honestly.

'We do too' nodded Laura. We hovered, back in an uncertain silence, before Rose caught sight of her cousins and left to chat to them, Alice trailing behind. Laura and I looked at each other, and laughed. We laughed until we couldn't stop at the absurdness of what had just occurred. It was like a Miracle.

A/N Like? Love? Dislike? Hate? Please tell me! Hope you enjoy J