It was finally time, September 1st. Brigitta Corinth crossed it off her calender and began to get ready. "Cauldron, all books...hmm..wand scales," she checked off all the items on the list until she came upon, "Dixie! How's my owl?" Dixie hooted affectionatly back, ruffling her shining brown feathers. Brigitta dragged her trunk downstairs while brushing her dirty blonde hair and found her favorite breakfast, made by her muggle mother, toast, bacon, and eggs with a hot chocolate prepared nicely, just waiting for a hungry kid to gobble it up.

"Thanks, Mom!" the ravenous fourteen year old exclaimed, inhaling the delicious smell.

"You're welcome! You're up early, Shawn isn't even up yet." Shawn was Brigitta's older brother who was going to be in his sixth and final year at school.

"Speak of the devil." Out came Shawn, dirty blonde hair ruffled and yawning. "Morning." he said rather sleepily.

Brigitta grinned, sea green eyes shining, "It's finally time."

"Beringian!" he replied.

"School."

"Of magic."

It had finally sunk in. They were going back.

The time went by fast. Brigitta's dad came down and sped up the process of getting ready. He was a fully qualified wizard, and a very good one. He worked for the Federal Wizard Government of the United States, deciphering ancient cursed objects. After much scurrying around and searching for lost things, they were finally ready. The family circled around their brick fire place. flipped a Galleon, it was a Corinth family tradition to see who went first. "Brigitta wins!" She stepped into the dusty hearth, took the Floo Powder and exclaimed, "Amerigo Inn!" The girl was immediately whisked away in emerald green flames.

There she was, in the familiar inn. It was an average, exceptionally ordinary inn,really-to the Muggle eye. The few non-magical folk there thought it was very odd that so many children were talking and laughing, as if they've known each other for years, and the owner of the inn, he was even stranger. His name was Astro, for one thing, and all he did was sit behind the front desk, but as far as they could see everything was in order and even stranger it seemed that things were being cleaned themsleves! "But, of course not, that would be impossible! Surely, there are people doing it, and we just haven't seen them. Yes, that was it..." they would reassure themselves.

Soon, all the Corinth family was there. They said their goodbyes, Mrs. Corinth a little teary-eyed. Shawn went off to find his friends, so Brigitta decided to find hers. There they were, Twilla, Carli, and Macy, and they were arguing about something.

"I'm telling you! They are right in front of you!" said Macy, her blue eyes confused and determined to prove herself right.

"Macy, nothing is attatched to the chariot." replied Carli, looking alarmed at the chariot they were going to ride to Beringian.

"Brigitta!" Macy said as she spotter her walking towards them," There are horse-looking things attached to the reigns, right?"

"No, nothing's there like always." she replied.

"But they were there since Year One..." Macy said, looking confused.

"I think I can help you with that," interrupted an arrogant 6th year girl with frizzy brown hair and alarmingly straight and shiny teeth ."They're thestrals, only people who have seen death can see them. You learn about them in the 5th year. So, obviously, your friend here has seen someone die."

"Who, Macy?" asked Twilla.

"My brother, when I was three."

"But wouldn't you have seen them right away in your first year?" asked the sixth year.

"Yeah, but I thought everyone could see them until Carli wondered what charm they used on the chariot to make it go."

"Oh, what do they look like?" asked Brigitta.

"Really, just a horse skeleton with a thin layer of flesh with wings."

"Weird. I always wondered. Well, that's me, gotta' go." said the sixth year as Professor Morrow announced that the sixth years go to their assigned 5th year apparating partner.

"Glad she's gone." said Twilla as Professor Windlow announced the fourth years to come to her to find their hippogriff.

"I'm glad we're not using a Portkey or Floo Powder. This is much more exciting." said Brigitta, indicating to the chariots.

"Third years, please find a partner and choose a chariot." announced Professor Barns in his droning voice.

"Oh, I guess you guys go together, Carli and I will go on this one." said Macy.

"Alright." said Twilla.

Brigitta loaded her trunk and let Dixie out of her cage to follow, and she and her friend rose in the air, finally headed to their home.