Chapter One

Etain stretched her stiff back and sighed. She clambered off her bed and, bored, decided to run a hot bubble bath and get dressed. Using the holidays as an excuse to laze about only got one so far and really, staying in bed until one in the afternoon was probably pushing it a bit. She sat on the side of the tub and started to daydream, imagining... Well what should she? Originality, that was important, as was interest, it would hardly be acceptable if she bored herself to death now would it? What else? Magic certainly, what type who knew, who cared? She looked in the mirror pretending her reflection disguised a huge hall filled with scrying glasses. She had wavy red-blonde hair and yellow-green eyes, her mouth turned down slightly and her nose also made her look slightly haughty but she had perfected a kind, vapid sort of smile that simultaneously made her appear entirely stupid and trustworthy. It lay well-used in her arsenal of personas.

Oh I wish I were magical or special, adventurous or brave! Huh! As if. I try to be brave but in the end bravery just strikes me as a little... stupid. And I'm afraid of everything! I'm not even particularly special. Thump! Etain almost fell off her perch at looked up to the window to find... an owl on the windowsill. God was evidently listening, this is rather odd. She turned off the tap and opened the window, expecting the owl to fly off. Instead it hopped inside a held out it's leg. Perhaps it's trained. She amused herself for a moment pretending it were a circus owl or perhaps there was a... Celtic spirit in the- She looked down. The awful creature had pecked her! Fighting down the urge to snarl and take a swipe at it she set a smile on her face and looked at it's leg. There was something attached to it. A letter.

A messenger owl. The Allies used pigeons in WWI, perhaps Britain was about to engage in war and all the electricity had been destroyed in order to prevent our enemies (a newly developed country) manufacturing bombs and- The bloody thing did it again! Giving in to the urge to be nasty (after all it isn't like it could understand) she hissed at the bird.

"Listen you flying excuse for an overstuffed turkey. I get that you want me to take the letter, but unless you want me to break off your wings as well and the throw you out of the window I suggest you keep that beak to yourself! I bet you sharpened it before you came. Bastard." She opened the letter.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Surpreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Miss Etain Grey,

We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all neccessary books and equipment.
Term begins as soon as you are enrolled. We await your owl eagerly.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry

Uniform
First year students will require
sets of plain workrobes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)

Set Books
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade One) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

Other Equipment
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales

Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS

"That's not funny." She gave a hard look at the owl. "Now, why would someone train an owl to send practical jokes to people." She smirked. "You know what?" She asked the owl. "I'm going to reply. Wait here." Etain fetched a pen and some paper and set about writing a reply.

Dear Deputy Headmistress

Minerva McGonagall,

I find the practice of sending hoax letters to impressionable eleven year olds morally repugnant and am disgusted by the idea that an owl has been captured for use in what is presumably some sort of scam. If your letter was to inform me that I am being watched or targeted by the use of my name and a content preying on my belief, or rather, wish that magic is real, and believe that I will write back accepting and possibly planning a meeting or opening contact, then you underestimate my intelligence and self-preservation. I will be informing the police and may I say that blackmail, extortion and cyber crime are much more effective than this clumsy attempt at scare tactics. I am writing in the hope that this is a practical joke rather than something more serious and merely wish to inform you of the consequences of your actions should you proceed with this deception.

Yours Sincerely,

Etain Grey

Then she tied the letter to the owls leg and shooed it out. Well that sounded snobby and insulting. I hope they aren't kidnappers or something but really why would you train an owl to deliver prank mail? Oh God that's scary. But... What if it's...true? If-if it is true I hope they don't take it as refusal. No I never stated that. Damn subconscious. No if it's true all they need to do is prove it. She quickly washed in her now cool bath and got dressed in a black dress and headed downstairs. Her parents were at work and she felt a little scared knowing she was alone. There was a knock at the door. Oh shit. She grabbed an ornament from the mantelpiece and looked through the eyehole. There was a tall, dark haired man with some sort of long dress on, he was scowling. She spoke through the door.

"Who are you?" He glared.

"Severus Snape, Potions Master and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am also head of Slytherin. May I come in?"

"I may be eleven Mr. Snape but I do not believe myself invincible, nor am I so incredibly naive that I will assume the best until proven otherwise. Innocent until proven guilty is for a Judge protected by police officers and restraints. I wish to see my twelfth birthday, thank you!" Then she deliberately sounded mocking. "If you are a Wizard, Mr. Snape, if you are a Wizard, prove it."

The glare intensified.

"Fine." He took out something.

"Ooh a stick, Mr. Snape. I'm trembling please forgive my-"

"Reducto!" He blew up a flower pot.

"-disbelief." Her jaw hung open.

"Reparo." It reassembled before her eyes.

"Does that confirm my magical abilities, Miss Grey."

"Indeed it does, Mr. Snape. What it does not do is show you mean no harm." At his incensed look she continued.

"It does, however, show that should you mean me harm then the door is unlikely to stop you. Therefore I shall attempt to pacify you with Tea and biscuits. Won't you come in, Mr. Snape? It is quite uncomfortably warm outside, I do not believe your pallor would survive."

"Thank you Miss Grey." He swept in and sat on a sofa in the living room.

"Would you like Tea or Coffee?" She smiled politely. Suspicion gone from her manner but by no means her thoughts.

"Coffee. Black."

She returned shortly with some biscuits and cake.

"Someone as mistrustful as you, Miss Grey, should know better than to believe I would accept food from a stranger."

She shrugged.

"You took the coffee."

"I have not drunk it."

"What a waste." He smirked.

"Professor McGonagall was... surprised to receive your owl." Etain rolled her eyes.

"Then I suggest she change the phrasing of the letter. She wrote that she would await my owl."

"Wizarding families do indeed write back. It is... unusual to say the least that a Muggleborn does." She raised her eyebrows at him.

"Muggleborn? I am afraid you will have explain you terminology."

"One born to Muggles who is a Witch or Wizard. Muggles are non-magical people."

"Ah. I see. For a moment I thought my parents were hiding something."

"No. There are Purebloods, Half-bloods and Muggleborns. I must warn you now, some Purebloods- people who are born into Wizarding families- believe Muggleborns to be... inferior. My house in particular is known for it's Pureblood ideals."

"Hmm, the word Muggleborn doesn't fit. It doesn't end in blood. Is that significant?"

"Oh, no. There is a word but it is very offensive. Mudblood."

"Yes I can imagine how that would be construed as offensive. At least it's factually correct unlike bitch or bastard." Snape looked bemused.

"I suppose."

"You mentioned Houses?"

"In Hogwarts there are four houses: Slytherin, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. They're named after the four founders. You will be placed in a house by the Sorting Hat according to your traits and values. Slytherin for the cunning and ambitious, Gryffindor for the brave, Ravenclaw for the intelligent and studious and Hufflepuff for the hard-working and, err kind."

"Hmm, well. I would like to think I was clever and I certainly try to be kind, but Hufflepuff sounds a tad... soft and Ravenclaw, well I'm very concerned about marks. Gryffindor's out, bravery for the sake of bravery is stupid and I'm afraid of everything. Slytherin sounds good and you said they were all Pureblood and prejudiced. I do like challenges but I don't want to make my life miserable for all of term time. Well, I shall have to think."

"What time do your parents get home, Miss Grey?" She looked at him sharply.

"Not enough time to bury a body I'm afraid." She replied warily. He smirked again and held up his wand. "Oh yeah, my Mum will be back in about an hour." Snape filled that time explaining about Voldemort and Harry Potter and then explaining plans to take her to Diagon Alley.

"I hope that's not code for anything."

The door opened.

"Etain! E- Who are you?" Etain showed her Mother the letter.

"I am Professor Severus Snape, Potions Master at Hogwarts."

"Etain! What were you thinking? Letting a strange man into the house and-"

"I couldn't have prevented him."

"What are you talking about?"

"This is what she means, Madam. Reducto! Reparo!" Snape destroyed the sofa and repaired it.

"Are those the only spells you can do?" Etain asked disappointed.

"Certainly not. They are just fairly flashy and useful." Mrs. Grey just stood there gob-smacked.

"Am I going to have to repeat myself to Mr. Grey too? Anyway, I am taking Miss Grey shopping. We'll be back in a few hours. I daresay she will require money." Mrs. Grey looked at him fearfully and handed Etain her bank card.

"I believe you about the magic but what if- I will come too."

"You will be in the way and a target. Your presence will serve no purpose and it is more likely one of us will lose a body part when travelling. So you will not Madam. Rest assured Miss Grey will be safe with me."

"But-"

He grabbed Etain's elbow and steered her to the door pausing to let her put on her shoes. As soon as they got out of the door the interrogation didn't stop. She wanted to know everything.

What subjects are there?

Why was he wearing a dress?

What are the teachers like?

Is there much homework?

What are the punishments?

Can you get expelled?

What do you have to do in detention?

What is the point of houses?

Why do Purebloods believe Muggleborns are inferior?

All the way to the cash machine. When she got out some money and Snape apparated there was a brief respite as she caught her breath from what seemed like being squeezed into a tiny tube and then questioned him about that. They reached the Leaky Cauldron and passed through.

"If you could kindly stop your incessant chatting for a moment we must begin shopping." He tapped on the bricks giving her a sceptical look when she smiled innocently at him.

"Where first?"

"Gringotts Bank."

Etain restrained herself from asking questions about the strange creatures until they got outside not wishing to appear rude.

"What were they?"

"Goblins. We will get your robes first."

While they were in Madame Malkins they met a white-blond man and an eleven year-old who was almost his Carbon copy, there was another blonde there, a woman with a haughty expression.

"Lucius, Narcissa, Draco." He nodded to them.

"Severus, how lovely to see you. Who is this?" The woman asked.

"Etain Grey. She will be a first year in September."

"A relative?" Narcissa asked delicately.

"No."

"A Muggleborn then." Lucius sneered.

"Oh no, Sir. I'm as Pureblooded as they come. Not a drop of Wizarding blood in my veins." She smirked at him.

"Mudblood." Draco muttered.

"I'm sure you can speak about that at Hogwarts." Snape interjected.

"Of course, Professor. We'll discuss it at the feast. I'll open a vein over his Mashed potatoes and we can compare." Etain drawled. Draco smirked before his face returned to a stone mask.

"You'd have to reach a long way. Hufflepuff is seated at the other end of the room from Slytherin." She raised her eyebrows.

"I couldn't bear the separation; I shall just have to sit closer."

"We have to continue shopping, perhaps another time Severus." Narcissa and Lucius inclined their heads and the three of them swept off.

"They were nice."

"The Malfoys."

"Ooh, French."

"Don't let Lucius hear you say that."

They collected the uniform and then went to Florish and Blotts to find her books.

"I also recommend Hogwarts: A History. It will give you some background information about the place. Do open your text book before arriving it will give you a better understanding of the material if you know about and think about the material before trying it. We hardly need another dunderhead and Hogwarts."

"Got it. This is all so interesting I probably would have anyway."

"We will get your Potions equipment, a pet and then a wand."

"Mum will be spitting feathers if I go home with a pet! Sure, what can I get again?"

"A Cat, a Rat, a Toad or an Owl."

"Great."

Her bags were getting very heavy by now and telescopes and cauldrons didn't help. Seeing that, Snape levitated her bags to the pet shop. There were assortments of rather odd creatures but thankfully there were signs on the type of pet. Etain looked at the Owls and Rats, bypassed the Toads because they were rather useless and stopped at the Cats.

"It's gorgeous." She breathed looking at a kitten. Snape glanced over her shoulder.

"Miss Grey, perhaps you ought to have your eyesight checked, it's hideous."

"It is not!"

"It's hairless, wrinkly and it looks like it's scowling."

"I know. It's really cute isn't it." Snape just gave her a mystified look and told her to take it to the counter.

"Ah yes." The pet shop owner murmured. "A fairly unpopular breed in students," He ignored Snape's "I wonder why." And continued, "but nonetheless a very good. He hasn't been named. What will you call him?" Etain cocked her head.

"Belial." She replied after some deliberation.

"After?"

"The Demon of Arrogance and Trickery." Snape snorted, she ignored him.

"What do I feed him?"

"Tuna, Ham and Muggle Cat food will be fine. Here's a carrier and collar. He's not trained yet but he's an intelligent Cat so he'll learn fast. This is your new owner Belial. That's 10 Galleons. Have a nice day."

"Hello Belial, my name is Etain and this is Professor Snape. We're just going to get my wand and then I'll take you home." She cradled him in her arms and scratched his belly.

"Here's Ollivanders. The best Wand Maker in Britain. I'll hold your...Cat while you find a Wand." They walked inside and Etain handed Belial to Snape, neither of whom looked happy with the arrangement.

"Ah! Hello Miss Grey."

"Is everyone in the Wizarding World psychic?"

"No, no. You're on the list of students you see."

"Oh. Sorry that was terribly rude of me. You must be Mr. Ollivander."

"Yes, Yes. Now hold out your wand arm, the hand you write with." He elaborated seeing her blank look.

"Good, good. Try this one." Nothing.

It took about six tries before Etain found a Wand, she knew it was hers though the moment she touched it. She waved it and produced birds that Belial promptly tried to eat.

"Excellent! Yew, 11 inches, quite springy with a Thestral hair core. I don't normally make Wands with that core but I have more than you would usually find."

"Thank you, Mr. Ollivander."

"Quite alright dear. That's eight galleons." Etain paid him and tucked her Wand away, taking Belial back.

"Now, magic is prohibited until you get on the Hogwarts Express. I will take you and your parents to the Train Station and the Platform so pack your trunk and be ready at eight on the 3rd September. Don't be late. Wear Muggle clothes to the train but change into your robes before you arrive. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Good." He smirked. "I'll leave you to discuss things with your parents."

"Evil bugger." She muttered.

"What was that?"

"Nothing!" She smiled brightly.

"Good." He grabbed her and apparated her into her Living Room.

"See you on September 3rd, Miss Grey." Then he disapparated.

Her Mother was quite exciting once she got over her shock and examined all of her things.

"It's a boarding school though."

"I'm sure we'll get used to it." We meaning youshe thought. I won't need to.