Chapter 1

"Go on honey. I'll be right behind you. Just trust me."

I take my mom's advice and, squeezing my eyes tightly shut, walk through a wall. Hearing noises around me, I crack my left eye open. Kids are running here and there while their parents weep. A huge red train sits with its welcoming doors beckoning me to hop aboard.

"Ah," my mom sighs happily beside me, "it's great, isn't it. Nothing like Salem." She looks around and narrows her eyes, spotting someone.

She grabs my hand, bringing me with her.

A woman turns and locks eyes with my mom, her eyes widening. "Aly?! Oh, it is you Aly!" they exchange hugs.

"Honey," my mom turns to me, "this is a friend of mine when we were younger. She grew up in the house next to me. This is my daughter Corinne." She introduces me. "I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw you! How are you here? Did you marry a wizard or do you have a magical child? I just...I'm so glad to see you!" my mom hugs her again.

"My daughter, Lily, gained magical powers. We're so proud of her." Lily's mom look down at her with joyfulness in her eyes.

Lily and I shyly wave to each other.

The train rings its bell, signaling that it is almost time to go.

"Bye mom." I give her a kiss.

I notice that Lily is waiting for me so I follow her, boarding the train. We walk to an empty compartment, stow our bags away, and take our seats.

"What year are you? I've never seen you before." She asks once we're settled.

"I'm in my sixth year, but it's my first year here. I'm from the states. How about you?"

"Same!" she smiles. "Now how about House. What House are you in? Or do you not know yet?"

"I was put in…um…Huffpuff?"

She giggles.

"Hufflepuff. I'm in Gryffindor. We'll probably have classes together."

"What classes does Hogwarts offer?"

"Well, there's my personal favorite – potions. And then there's Transfiguration, Herbology-which you'll definitely be in since your head of House is the professor for that class, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Care of Magical Creatures, a bunch more. Did your other school have any of those?"

"No." I shake my head. "We had awful classes like Math and English. We do have History of Magic classes that are required every year."

"Were you able to practice magic when you were there at all?"

"Well in Physical Examination we used magic then. As I learn more and more I find that America is a lot different from here. We don't have Quidditch, although we do use brooms. Our school looks like a muggle school while I've heard Hogwarts is a castle!" I look to her for confirmation and she nods. "And we were never separated by Houses. And since we obviously don't use magic as much as you guys, I feel behind everyone."

"If you need any help, you can always come to me."

I smile. "Thanks. So do, um, people have prejudices about certain Houses?"

"Oh yes! The most known is between Slytherin and Griffindor. Well, truly, between Slytherin and every House there is. But don't let that stop you from making friends with whomever. You must never judge a person by their House."

The rest of the train ride goes by with her telling me all about Hogwarts: the moving stairs, the talking portraits, the professors, the rooms, etc.

The train comes to a halt around nighttime. As we get off and collect our bags, a group of boys hop off behind us. I catch two of them strut right on up to a student and push all of his things out of his hands. "Snivellus" I hear them snidely remark.

One of them, a dark-haired boy with glasses, starts to walk over to us, the others in tow.

That is really mean. Poor boy. I've been picked on before but never that cruelly.

"Hey Lily! Did you get my owls?"

I frown and try to look behind them, feeling bad for the boy they teased.

"Well hey there. Lily, who's this pretty thing?" a boy with strikingly handsome features grabs my hand and kisses it.

"Guys, this is Corinne. She's transferring over from America. She's a sixth year also!"

"I'm Sirius Black." The hand-kisser introduces himself. "Perhaps you've heard of me. But I would really love to get to know you."

Oh goodness no. Sure he's to-die-for handsome, but his smugness and cruelty knock him off my radar. Now Corinne, mom told you to be polite, no matter what.

I muster up a smile. "It's nice to meet you Sirius. Please excuse me." I extricate myself from him and walk over to the boy, still gathering his strewn belongings.

I bend down and help him.

"I don't need your pity." He sneers.

"If it comes off that way, I apologize."

"Your friends are waiting for you." He nods toward the group of boys and Lily staring.

"The boys are not my friends. How do we get to the school from here?"

He rips his books from my hands. "Follow me."

I turn around and wave bye to Lily. I hope I see her again, she was so nice!

"This is cute. What pulls them?" I ask as we settle into a carriage.

He doesn't answer.

"My name's Corinne Daphne. I'm transferring from America."

"Severus Snape." He snipes out.

"It's very nice to meet you." I smile at him, but he's looking away.

I knew his name wasn't Snivellus.

"Wow! Just. Pure. Wow. This is the school? It's gorgeous! You see I was super hesitant about coming here. I mean why in the world would I want to leave my home and friends behind!? But my mom wanted to come due to…certain reasons, and just look how wonderful this school is. I can't see myself ever wanting to go back to that boring Salem Institute now!"

We get off the carriage and enter through the doors. The dining room is huge, candles are floating in the air, and food is overflowing on the tables. Severus looks behind me and scowls before entering and grabbing a seat.

"There you are. I lost track of you." Sirius comes to my side and winks at me.

My face inwardly drops. As I step forward to find a seat, I notice the tables are separated by Houses. I look behind me for Lily and spot her.

"Lily, do you know which table I sit at?"

She points to the furthest table on the left.

"Oh a Hufflepuff are we?" Sirius asks. "I've found they're more generous, if you know what I mean."

I look at him disgusted and walk away. I see the Hufflepuff Prefect Lily pointed out to me earlier standing at the head of the table waiting for me.

"Miss Daphne I presume? Good evening and can I say that this is quite the lovely addition to Hufflepuff. I'm Alex Fall, the Hufflepuff Prefect. "This," he gestures to the girl on the other side of him, "is Amelya Fall, my sister and the other Hufflepuff Prefect. Here, we've saved you a seat."

Happy that he was so kind and thoughtful, I sit next to him.

"Our head of House is Professor Pomona Sprout." He points to a young squat witch with brown fly-away hair. "She's been here only a few years and also teaches Herbology."

As we eat, Alex tells me all about the Hufflepuff House. We leave early so he can show me around our House. The entrance to the common room is hidden in a stack of rather big barrels.

"We may be in the dungeons, but being so close to the kitchen overlooks that tidbit." He says.

Alex then tells me to tap the barrels in a certain order to the rhythm of 'Helga Hufflepuff'. He warns me that if I get it wrong I'll be doused in vinegar.

Why couldn't it be water?

The barrel's lid swings open and we crawl inside.

I could've done without that. I mean if I have to wear these skirts all the time, I would prefer walking.

I righten myself, smoothing down my skirt. Looking up I become struck. It's probably the coziest place that I've ever seen – like a small hometown muggle coffee shop! It's unique round shape gives it charm.

"Just because we live below the grounds doesn't mean we can't see the outside." Alex says, pointing out the circular windows that show the rippling emerald grass and moonlight.

It's also very earthy. Not surprising though. There are a countless amount of plants dangling from the ceilings and sitting on windowsills. One of the plants is enjoying itself in dance and in another corner a pair are having a conversation.

I should find that extremely weird, but instead I find it just about the coolest thing ever. At least it'll help me out in Herbology. I hope.

Glossy copper hangs on the walls and fireplace, so shiny that I can sort of see my reflection.

I hope this isn't what they use for mirrors or else I'm going to be ugly every single day.

Surprisingly, for the amount of copper I see, I don't smell one ounce of metal! By the fireplace are yellow and black overstuffed sofas and chairs. And boy do they look comfy. My only complaint is that my Houses colors are black and yellow. If I wore that combination back home I would be teased endlessly about how I'm turning into a bumbling buzzing little bee.

There are so many sofas and chairs that we have to climb over them as Alex leads me to one of the two round doors in the common room. We go through and enter a tunnel, walking down a couple of feet before stopping in front of a perfectly round door.

"This is your room." He informs me.

"This is just the cutest place I've ever seen!"

I enter my room and am surprised at how spacious it was. I thought for sure it was going to but small and jam-packed with big furniture like the common room was. The walls are a pale but vibrant yellow, radiating warmth. There are 3 four-poster beds.

My mouth opens slightly and eyes widen at the beds size.

Who needs a bed that big? And should I actually be complaining about that?

The beds are covered in detailed patchwork quilts. On the walls are antique copper bed warmers.

I don't even know how to use those. And if I did I would probably burn myself.

Copper lamps emit a soft light in the room.

"This place is homier than my home!" I laugh.

"You should sleep comfortably. I need to go help Amelya with the first years. If you need help getting anywhere or with anything you could come find me or Amelya. Her room's right across from yours. Or you could ask the Fat Friar. He's the friendliest ghost I've ever met, so don't be afraid of him. He wears monk's robes and is always jumping at the chance to help students, whether they're lost or in any kind or trouble. Tomorrow morning at breakfast Professor Sprout will give you your schedule. Let's see…I think that's everything. Oh! You probably have no idea how to play Quidditch, but we'd love for you to try out. Hufflepuffs don't do too well in the sport and so we're always looking for new people to join. Tryouts are next week if you want to come. I'll see you later!" Alex waves to me as he leaves.

"Bye!"

The bed with my suitcases out in front of it I decide is mine. All of my clothes have already been folded and my robes and uniforms are hung. As I look in my drawers and under my bed, two girls come in.

"You must be Corinne! I'm Mandy!" A short, plump girl greets me with a hug. "This is Sally." She gestures to the pig-tailed brunette behind her.

"Was that Alex Fall with you?" asks Sally.

"Yeah." I nod. "He's very nice!"

"Wow." They swoon. "He's so handsome! I've had a crush on him since I first laid eyes on him. His messy blonde hair is purely perfect for his tan skin! He must've spent the summer in some romantic country."

They giggle.

He definitely is a catch. Any girl could see that.

"Well anyway, we're going to the showers if you want to come see where they are." Mandy says.

"Sure thing!" I grab my stuff and follow them.

I wish my friends were here to experience this with me. I must write to them immediately.