Disclaimer: The story is mine, the world and characters in it aren't. You get the drill.

Notes: This chapter is pretty short, the next ones will be longer I promise. This is just the introduction.

When Hamilton's letter came he was living on the streets. His cousin had committed suicide and he did NOT want to go to a foster home. It was July, he was plenty warm, and he knew it was only a matter of time until he would go to Hogwarts. See, Alexander knew he was a wizard. His mom, who was the kindest person Alexander could think of, was a squib but she'd known that Alexander had magic in him from a young age. So Alex knew all about Hogwarts. What he didn't know was how on earth he was going to pay for all the books, equipment and robes. He'd find a way. He always did.

John Laurens was more than happy to get his letter- he was relieved. He hadn't given off to many outbursts of magic, and his father was worried that he wouldn't receive a letter at all. In the pureblood Laurens family that would have been disastrous, and Henry Laurens would have been… unhappy to say the least. John shuddered at the thought. And then smiled, because he knew that Hogwarts meant a whole year without his family. Now all he had to do was get sorted into Slytherin and perhaps he wouldn't be a total disappointment to his family after all.

Hercules was confused as heck, when a strangely dressed man in a blue cloak knocked on his front door and demanded an audience with his family. His explanation did explain a lot about the strange things that happened to him sometimes. When Headmaster Washington left Hercules was ecstatic- he was going to go to a real life wizard school! He was slightly less happy later when it sunk in that going to Hogwarts would mean leaving his family for months on end. Would Mama be able to sew enough to keep all his sisters fed without his help? He wouldn't be around to feed, hopefully that would make up the difference. Someday, Hercules promised himself, when he became one of the most powerful and important wizards of all time, he would give all his money to his Mama and two younger sisters, and they would live in golden palaces.

Lafayette had known months ago that he was going to Hogwarts. His parents had contacted Professor Washington and requested that Lafayette go to Hogwarts instead of Beauxbatons like most French children. They preferred Hogwarts, and wished Lafayette to go there and experience a different culture. It didn't hurt, of course, that Adrienne's parents had made the same decision two years ago. Surely the more time Lafayette spent with his betrothed, the better chance there was of a happy marriage when the two were adults.

Lafayette himself was more or less ambivalent to which school he went to, he was simply excited that he was finally going to be able to learn magic! No more being told he was too young. Best of all, no one at Hogwarts would know of his status. Perhaps - if he was lucky - he could even make some friends that weren't Adrienne. She was nice but also two years older than him.

Eliza couldn't wait to step onto the Hogwarts express. Angie had been going to Hogwarts for a whole year already and Eliza couldn't wait to go herself. She was determined to let no one and nothing change her mood- not Peggy grousing about being left behind or Angelica complaining about having to see Thomas again or even the funny feeling in her stomach reminding her that she'd never been away from her family for more than a week before. Or the other funny feeling in her stomach that reminded her that in her family she was the nobody. Eliza wasn't the funniest, or the prettiest, or the smartest. Maybe she would fail at Hogwarts and everybody would hate her and-

Eliza tried her hardest to will those thoughts away.

Eliza couldn't wait to step onto the Hogwarts express.

Sitting behind his desk, getting ready for the year to begin, Washington had no idea of the drama this year would entail. That was probably for the best, as he'd learn soon enough. Now all that was left was to wait for the school year to begin.

Please comment! You know Hamilton would write a full-length review on everything, so surely you can spare time for a few words. :)

Also, if you have any suggestions for what ships you want to see in this story, please tell me in your comment. Thanks for reading!

-Idhren