Chapter 1

"Now, don't worry, I'm sure it'll be fine!" I looked up at my father, his dark eyes smiled at me. "If you have any trouble, you can take the first plane back home. This is a great opportunity, I hope you make the most of it."

I sighed, running my fingers through my hair. "Dad, what if they think I'm weird? They're going to make fun of me. 'Dumb girl with the American accent', they're going to say!" I was near tears.

My dad lowered himself to my height and places both hands on either side of my face, "you are a smart, beautiful girl. No one is going to make fun of you. Now, you're going to go to that school and show everyone there what it means to be Rebecca Rodriguez."

I smiled at him and gave him a tight hug. My dad is the most important person in my life, after my mom passed away in a car accident five years ago, we're all each other's got. Its hard leaving him. I pulled away and looked up at him. i was the splitting image of him, dark long hair, hazel eyes, and caramel skin. I was going to carry his legacy onto this new world, and make him proud.

I boarded the plane along with the other fourteen 11 year olds who were chosen to experience Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It wasn't common at all for Americans to go to Hogwarts, but times were changing. I'm from New York, along with one other boy who happened to be my best friend. I was happy that I wasn't going to this new place completely alone. The other kids were from all over the states, however we all shared the same nervousness.

"Brandon, do you think they'll be like us? Nervous? This is so new and I bet they've been training or something for Hogwarts." I turned to my best friend, who was staring out the plane window.

He thought about it and then smiled at me, "Becca, you do realize that these are also other eleven year olds starting a magical school for the first time? Most likely no one will know each other either. The only different will be our accents." Brandon scratched his little blonde head and looked concerned for a moment, "Maybe they don't have Coca Cola though. Now that I'm actually worried about."

I laughed and nudged him a little. I signed and adjusted my seat, "Promise me one thing Brandon, we'll always have each others backs, no matter what." I held out my pinky.

"I promise, no matter what," he gladly intertwined his pinky with mine.

"Right this way," A man led us through a magnificent looking hall. Picture frames were everywhere, high chandeliers, it was incredible. It was all very regal looking.

"I've never been to a place like this in New York," Brandon muttered to me, and I nodded in awe.

"This place must be somethin' because you've been to a lot of places in New York," I replied, and he chuckled lightly.

The professor told us a speech about each house at Hogwarts. I honestly didn't know what to expect, I didn't do much reading on this school. I wasn't really listening to what he was saying because I was so nervous. He led us into what he called the great hall. There were four long tables filled with students, with space at each table, presumably for us.

There were whispers everywhere and pointed fingers. I could almost feel vomit coming up my throat. I took deep breathes to calm myself, trying to remember my dads words, show them what it means to be Rebecca Rodriquez. Heck yeah, I will.

"Brandon Conners?"

I jumped at the sound of my best friends names. He squeezed my hand that I didn't know i was holding. He slowly walked up to the head mistress. A ragged looking hat was placed on his head and I accidentally laughed out loud, earning a couple looks, but I couldn't help it. It was a funny sight.

"Gryffindor!" The hat exclaimed and I was a little taken back that the hat spoke. Brandon met my eyes and smiled slightly, I smiled back.

The Gryffindor table cheered as he walk about to them and instantly they all started to shake his hand. My heart broke slightly looking at him make other friends. It was always just Brandon and Since we were babies. Both our parents are human, we potty trained together, and got through grade school with each other.

Soon, the rest of the kids began to get called and placed into their appropriate houses. I was second to last.

"Rebecca Rodriquez?"

My heart skipped a beat and I slowly made my way over. I sat on a stool and the hat was placed on my head. I tried not to think about how many unwashed heads have been under the hat and held my breath.

"Lots of qualities from all houses, you're a peculiar one…" The hat muttered, "Better be… Slytherin!"

Slytherin clapped and cheered as I got up and I grinned. I hurried over to sit with my new friends, who seemed super enthusiastic to speak to me. A rush of names and questions were thrown at me. Soon after I sat down, food appeared on the table and we began to eat. Before i started to eat, I turned around and looked at Brandon, quickly, as if he could sense me looking at him, he looked after from the boy he was talking to and smiled at me. I grinned and nodded, and then turned by to my table.

"I'm Albus," a boy across from me stuck his hand out, while a blonde boy next to him snickered.

I smiled, "I'm Becca, nice to meet you Albus." I shook his hand.

"This is Scor-"

"I could introduce myself, thank you, Albus," The blonde rolled his eyes and grinned at me. "I'm Scorpius Malfoy."

"Nice to meet you both," I laughed.

Little did I know that they were going to become the best people I know.