Disclaimer: I own nothing but the Elixir family. I wish I owned Harry Potter, cuz then I'd have a lot of money like J.K. Rowling, but sadly, she is more awesome than me.

This kind of just jumps right into the throw of things, symbolizing the Elixir lifestyle. Quiet and fast.

It's amazing how excited parents can get when their only child is accepted into one of the only three magic schools in Europe.

The letter came early one morning, congratulating me on being accepted in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, reading in very pretty green script, "Ms. Demetra Elixir, Second Bedroom on the Left, Elixir Family Estate". Being the drama queen she is, Mother nearly smiled. Father immediately wrote one of his best friends and co-workers, Lucius Malfoy, who wrote back saying that his son, Draco, had also been accepted. As soon as Mother quit with the moment of almost-joy, she wrote all of her friends (including Mrs. Malfoy), inviting them to a dinner party to celebrate my 'achievement', set a week before school starts.

Before you ask, yes, Father is one of the twelve members of the Hogwarts Board of Governors. Honestly, I think that if Father didn't already want to have a job, he could quit and our family would still go on for several generations on the tons of money that has collected over the many, many generations. However, Father has never been one to sit still for very long, so he enjoys getting to go to work every day and tiring himself out. Knowing him, he will never retire, but work until the day he dies for fear of sheer boredom.

Mother's sort of the same way; she just has other means of keeping herself busy. Her job, though, is making sure that our house runs smoothly each and every day. I can remember once when I was a little girl, something catastrophic happened in the kitchen because of the elves (not sure what it was, now), and Father was very, very displeased to see the entire house a mess because of it… The next time I saw Mother, which wasn't until the day after, she was sporting a black eye, cleverly-hidden bruises all over (I only knew this because I happened to catch her changing shirts in a mirror), and a twisted ankle. After this incident, Mother's vigilance was redoubled, which meant that she had even less time for me than she normally did, and rarely did I ever see Father, let alone speak to him for fear of suffering his wrath as well. It didn't help that was a daily and constant reminder of-no, we don't speak of that anymore.

Anyway…

As Mother was getting her responses back, I looked over the letter.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

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

Dear Miss Elixir,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall Deputy Headmistress

I grinned widely, very pleased that I had been accepted. Suddenly, the letter was snatched from my hands, the smile immediately disappearing. Mother gave me a disapproving look, and then read the letter over quickly. She grabbed a nearby parchment, one of her nicer quills, her dark blue inkwell (the only color my family used either than silver or green, since it's Mother's favorite, but Father prefers using the Slytherin House colors), and laid them on a table. She beckoned me over, and she told me exactly what to write as a response.

Dear Professor McGonagall,

Thank you for sending the letter. Will see you September 1st. Hope you're well.

Ms. Demetra Elixir

Father suddenly beckoned over Mother, and the two of them spoke to each other in low tones, not trusting my listening ears. Used to it, I rolled up the parchment and attached it to Brutus, our family's Eagle Owl. I gave him a treat, told him to take it to Professor McGonagall at Hogwarts, and opened the nearest window. I watched him fly off into the distance until Mother called me over. She was reaching for the jar of Floo powder when I walked over. She gave me a handful, and told me her and I were to leave for Diagon Alley immediately.

We transported inside our usual fireplace at Borgin and Burkes, when I noticed Mother carrying a necklace I had never seen before. She quickly sold it to Mr. Burkes and gave me the money before I could ask what it was. Knowing that the money was partially to keep me quiet, I didn't ask.

As we walked out of Knockturn Alley and back into Diagon Alley, she handed me a sheet of paper that had been included in the letter from Hogwarts, but I hadn't had a chance to read it yet.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

UNIFORM First-year students will require: sets of plain work robes (black) plain pointed hat (black) for day wear pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar) winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings) Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.

COURSE BOOKS All students should have a copy of each of the following:

The Standard Book of Spells(Grade 1) 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 BROOMSTICK

"Where are we going to go first to get all of this stuff?" I asked her eagerly, excited to get started. Mother looked at me out of the corner of her eyes, a light smirk playing at her lips.

"Wherever you want to start, after all, these are going to be your school supplies. Which reminds me…" She pulled a bag out of her skirt pocket, and gave it to me. "Here's your money. Spend it wisely." I looked inside, there was more than enough from what I could see, but I'd still have to be careful. Didn't want to go crazy.

"Let's go get my robes and nametags first." Mother gave one curt nod, and immediately changed directions, headed for the correct store. The crowd, casting glances of fear at her, parted in order for her to have a clear path, I just simply kept close behind.

When we entered Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, there were two boys being fitted as well who I knew I'd seen before, though I couldn't place them. Madam Malkin, who I had met only once before, was dressed in mauve and recognized Mother immediately.

"Mrs. Elixir!" She cried, almost nervously, "How good to see yo-Ohh, I see why you're here. Miss Elixir's been accepted into Hogwarts, eh?" Mother gave her usual single nod, not feeling the need to speak. "Well, we got these two boys-"

"Crabbe. Goyle." Mother said shortly, and then I remembered. These two were Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle, fellow Pure-Bloods. I hadn't been around them in a few years, so I chalked it up to forgetfulness and the growing the two had done. "Where are your parents?"

"Down the street getting our books from Flourish and Blotts." Crabbe started.

"They'll be back in a minute." Goyle finished. Mother nodded again, and it was only then that I remembered that Madam Malkin was still standing there. I looked up at her.

"Where would you like me to stand, Madam Malkin?" I asked politely, and she gave me a smile, before directing me to a third stool next to Goyle. Mother left the shop quietly, but she didn't escape my notice as Malkin slipped a huge robe over my head, making my abnormal pale skin stand out even more than it already was.

"Elixir, right?" Goyle asked me as the seamstress began pinning up the robe to the correct lengths. I nodded once. "Do you know Draco Malfoy? He's our best friend!" I tried very hard to not roll my eyes, and barely succeeded.

"Yes, I've known him for a long time." Why he hangs out with idiots like these two escapes me. It was quiet for another few minutes, when four adults came in. I gave them my brightest smile, seeing as it was Mr. and Mrs. Crabbe and Goyle.

"They're almost done!" Said Madam Malkin, who I'd, again, forgotten was there. The parents laughed at some joke that was shared.

"Mom!" Crabbe called, "Look who it is!" The four adults turned to look at us, and I kept smiling. "It's the Elixir's girl!"

"Hello, Demetra." Mrs. Crabbe said to me. Small talk commenced until Madam Malkin interrupted again.

"Alright, you two are done, dears." The two boys, both semi-overweight, they carefully stepped off the short stools. I was glad to see they were leaving.

"Don't forget to say goodbye to Demetra, boys." Mrs. Goyle said to them, and they turned and waved as they left.

"Bye, Demetra! See you at Hogwarts!" I gave them the same bright smile I'd given their parents, and waved politely, but quickly let it drop soon as the door swung shut. At that moment, Mother came back, sporting a new necklace that was physically identical to the one she'd sold to Mr. Burke. I quirked an eyebrow, but she held up a hand, so I kept quiet once more.

"Ah, Mrs. Elixir, back so soon?" As the words proceeded out of Malkin's mouth, her two assistants who had been working on Dumb and Dumber (though which one was more stupid than the other is difficult to say) came over to help her finish. "Just about…" she sewed up the last bit on my right sleeve, "Done!" Mother nodded once, and I hopped off the stool. Mother paid quietly, and I carried my new robes and hat out. I knew, of course, she was paying for the robes so I wouldn't ask about her necklace.

"Where to next, darling?" She asked 'sweetly' after we left the store. I checked the list.

"Um… my books?" She gave me one of her fake smiles she usually saved for when company was over, and I knew it was because we were being watched by our fellow shoppers. We were watched everywhere we went. It's a side effect of being a part of the social elite.

"To Flourish and Blotts it is."

The shelves were stacked from the floor to the ceiling with books. I had never actually had reason to be in the bookshop, so I was stunned by the sheer size of some of the books. Some were as big as the large stones that made up the pavement outside, while some didn't look to be as big as a Galleon. I had always been a very good reader, so I was thrilled to see so many books on so many different things. I picked up one called Bewitch Your Friends and Befuddle Your Enemies with the Latest Revenges: Hair Loss, Jelly-Legs, Tongue-Tying, and Much, Much More by Professor Vindictus Viridian. But Mother told me to put it away before dragging me up to the front of the store and requesting the complete set of books for First Year students at Hogwarts. The man behind the counter quickly provided them, and then I asked if there were any books on Hogwarts itself. He provided one called, Hogwarts, a History which I also bought to read at home. I purchased my pewter cauldron, set of scales, and collapsible brass telescope while I was there as well.

After that was the Apothecary, where I got my supply of basic ingredients for potions. Mother whispered in my ear to not worry about my Potions class very much, that the teacher was an old friend of Father's and shouldn't treat me too terribly as long as I get into Slytherin.

"What's left?" Mother asked as we stood outside the Apothecary.

"Just a wand and a pet." Mother huffed.

"You are getting an owl." There was no room for argument, but she could sense the question hanging on my tongue. "Toads went out of style ages ago, and a cat will do you no good. I want you to be able to write us if anything goes wrong, and cats are not known for delivering messages. No, you will be getting an owl…" She was thinking about something. I didn't have to look at her to know, I could tell because her sentence trailed off. "In fact, here's Ollivanders. Go inside and get your wand. We'll call the owl a present from your father and I." I gave her a small smile, and nodded before heading inside the shop with the, 'Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B. C.'

The bell to tell the proprietor that a costumer had just arrived tinkled somewhere in the back of the shop. My vividly green eyes glanced at the small boxes that were stacked up disorderly on the wall-to-wall shelves, guessing that wands lay inside. The entire building seemed almost alive with it's own kind of magic. It was a bit unsettling.

"Good afternoon." Said a quiet voice, startling me. I turned to see a thin old man with large eyes that made me think of the moon.

"Hello, sir." I replied, trying my best to not appear disheveled by his sudden appearance.

"Ah, yes. Demetra Elixir." It wasn't a question. "I was wondering when I'd see you in my store. I didn't expect you so soon, yet I expected you to come sooner." His eyes narrowed slightly, and I felt naked before him, like he could see my entire dark past. "The difference between you and your parents is shocking, but I'm certain you're accustomed to it by now." He gave me a creepy smile. "I remember when your mother came in here to buy her first wand. Cedar, 11 inches long, rather bendy. Your father, however, was 13 inches. Pliable. Myrtle wood, if I remember. Good for countercurses. But, we're not here to discuss them, are we?" He pulled out a measuring tape from his pocket, "Which is your wand arm?"

"Both." I answered automatically, and he quirked an eyebrow at me. He stayed totally still for a moment, before going to his desk, getting a piece of parchment and a quill.

"Write something with each hand." He ordered, and I took the quill from him while picking up another I saw laying on the desk. I dipped them both into the ink, and quickly wrote out 'My name is Demetra Elixir' onto the page, writing with both hands at the same time. His jaw was slack when I turned back around to look at him. However, he recovered, and grinned widely in his creepy way. "I know just the wand for you." He retreated into the depths of his store before emerging some minutes later. He opened the box in his hands, but never once touched the wand inside. "Go ahead, take it." I pulled out the wand, and felt a tingling sensation go up my fingers, through my arm, into my shoulder, and warming my chest before settling down inside my heart. I never noticed how dark it got in the room before going bright again. "Excellent." Was all I heard. "Black walnut, core of Pegasus hair. 10 and 1/2 inches long and reasonably springy. This will fit you just fine. It'll be very good for hexes and curses, I might add." I studied the dark colors and ornate carvings before quickly paying him seven Galleons and leaving his store.

"This is an excellent wand." Mother said as she waved it about a little, meeting me outside Ollivanders. I held Orion's, my new Great Gray Owl, cage as she studied it. "Your father will be pleased." And without saying another word to me, she gave me back my wand, and we apparated back home.