Chapter 1

"Transfer?" I stare, uncomprehending. "From Hawthorne?"

"Yes Alya. I understand that it isn't ideal. But this isn't a boarding school! You can't stay here!" Mum repeats.

"But-" I start.

"No." Mum cuts off. "You need to come with us to England. Your father and I aren't magical. We can't conjure up money-"

"Neither can I!"

"And we need to pay the bills! If our company says we need to move to Wandsworth, than to Wandsworth we go!"

"But Australia is my home! I have a life here! Friends! You can't make me leave!" I protest.

"Well that's real unfortunate. But we have to do this!" Dad interrupts.

"You can go to Hogwarts. They say it's the best school of magic there is!" Mum continues.

"And the Headmistress says they have another Metamorhmagus there!" Dad adds.

Good God, Headmistress sounds so snooty. "I don't care!"

"You won't be the odd one out there!" He insists.

"I'm not the odd one out here!" I cry. "People admire me for it! It's a talent now! Not a curse! People may have teased me when I was a muggle, but I'm a witch!"

"That isn't relevant. You are going to England. You start school in September. We're leaving in a month. Pack your bags. Anything you don't bring goes in the bin." Mum snaps.

My hair turns scarlet in my rage. "Fine!" I snarl and storm off. I know I'm acting like a petulant child, but I have to move. Leave everything I know and love behind. And that doesn't just make me mad, it scares me. A lot.

Crack!

The apparition spits us out in an alleyway. We chose a secluded place to appear, to avoid muggle eyes and the dank air and putrid smell gets to me as I sway slightly. Apparition is a disorienting process, too, and bringing two adults along was worse. I'm not all that great at it, so as soon as I recover, I ask, "Any splinches?"

"Wazzat?" Mum asks, still blinking and adjusting to the apparition.

"Where bits of your body are left behind." I explain, exhausted. Mum lets out a small shriek.

"I'll take that as a no. Let me know if a body part is missing and I'll fix you right up." I sigh. I purse my lips and focus. My hair turns a sickly shade of green. "Yeuch. No." I mutter and think again. My hair becomes a faded purple. "Ugh! I'm trying to make a good impression here!" My hair becomes a dirty blonde. "It'll have to do, I suppose."

"Why don't you make it the original colour? It's very pretty." Dad suggests.

"No, it isn't. Anyway, it doesn't go with my outfit." I roll my eyes.

Mum jiggles the purse that contained the furniture. I'd gotten permission to use undetectable extension charms on a few handbags so no muggles grew suspicious. I really am enjoying being in seventh year and not having the trace. "How does this work?" she frowns, bemused.

"The inside of the bag is far bigger than the outside, Mum."

"But it doesn't feel heavy or anything!" she insists.

"Mum, its magic. Why are you even attempting to explain this logically?" I stare.

"I know, but you turned seventeen two weeks ago. Magic is new for me."

"I get it, Mum. One day I went to a school of magic despite never seeing it in action. It's disconcerting. But you need to realize that I am a witch. I will do magic. It is real. Or you'll never cope." I shake my head. "Sorry. This is post-apparition talking. Not me. Pay me no heed."

"No, you're right. You are my wonderfully special child who was gifted with fantastical powers even the magical world finds mystical. I need to realize that before you slip away from me." She admits.

"Thanks, Mum." I smile, touched.

"It's true. I love you, so much." She insists.

"I love you too." I look around. "What way to the hotel?"

We walk to the hotel in silence. The mid morning sun shines in my eyes and I resist the urge to cast a charm to block it. I am so missing Hawthorne right now.

We arrive at a fancy apartment block in the heart of Wandsworth. "Your work paid for this?" I raise my eyebrow.

"Well not really. They gave us an allowance, and we added to it a bit." Mum admits.

"Mum! Your money is for settling in!" I reprimand.

"I know, but we lived in an actual house back in Australia. This doesn't light a candle to the cost. We still have plenty to buy your schoolbooks and settle in." Mum explained.

"You better. I don't want you living in poverty as I feast at Hogwarts. It would really put a damper on the new hemisphere thing." I'm still bitter about leaving my life behind, but I'm getting used to it. It's a necessary change. As much as I hate it, it's happening.

"We won't. You need to stop worrying." Dad laughs.

"I do not! I am cautiously careful." I deny.

"Mmm, sure." He nods with mock sincerity.

"Well someone has to responsible in this family!" I scowl.

"Yeah. Your mother. You're just an added nag." He grins.

"Dad!" I swing my arm to slug him but he ducked.

"Just kidding. I love you, darling!" He backtracked.

"I'm beginning to question that!"

"Aw, honey, don't be like that!"

"I'll be like that if I want to!" I sulk.

He reaches out his arms for a hug and I sigh as he engulfs me.

"Now, I want to hear, 'I love you Dad.'" He smiles

"I love you Dad." I sigh.

"There. That wasn't so hard, was it?" he says, patronising.

"Yes, it was."

"Maybe this'll make you hate me less. Once we set up the apartment, I'll take you to London. You can visit Diagon Alley." He baits.

I perk up, "Really?" Even in Australia, Diagon Alley is famous. It was the metropolis of magical retail, with some of the best broom, clothing and bookstores in the wizarding world. Gladrags Wizard Wear, Madame Malkins, Flourish and Blotts, all of it was high end.

"Yep." He promises. "You can buy an owl."

"Are you serious!?" I shriek.

"Yep. I understand this has been difficult for you, and your mother and I have decided that an owl might not make up for it, but it will make it a bit better."

"I love you so much!" I squeal.

"Wow, this time I didn't even have to force you. This is progress." He marvels.

"Shut up and let me be happy."

"Alright then." He surrenders.

We finally reach our apartment and go inside. There is no furniture, but in the centre of the bare lounge room is an owl. I run to it and look at the letter attached to a leg. It has a logo on it, a badger, snake, lion and eagle wrapped around a letter H.

Ms Alya Pierce

In Space Time

Currently Apparating

I open the letter and begin to read.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

Headmistress: Minerva McGonagall

Dear Ms Pierce

We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed your Hogsmeade permission form and a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl no later than 31 July.

Yours sincerely,

Neville Longbottom

Deputy Headmaster

Well.

Hogwarts, here I come.