Chapter 1

The sun was shining down on the castle ruins. A quick glance told me that I was correct. It couldn't really be a ruin. Firstly there was a strange glimmer about the place. Like magic, but that was stupid. Magic didn't exist, did it? I was ten years old now. My sister was a boarding school and my friend Charlotte was there as well so I didn't have anywhere to go. My mum is a freak; I mean who hasn't noticed the strange men coming in and out of the house. All looking the same but different too. Is she like dating the entire family? I sighed and walked into the ruin. It was the first dry place I'd come across in a long time. There was an old rusty gate hanging off its hinges and I could hear screaming in the distance. I let my hair down and ran towards the noise. One of the screaming people was coming into view. I stopped dead. I could recognise that girl from anywhere it was Kira. My sister sounded terrified. What was this place?

I kept on running. Kira noticed me first.

"MADDIE" she yelled

I stared, how was she here? She had left for boarding school about four weeks ago. I reached the group and saw an amazing sight. They were all holding twigs.

"What the hell is going on here? What the hell is with the twigs? Why the hell are you two skiving school?" I screamed. Charlotte and Kira looked slightly guilty. I wondered why they chose here of all places to have some sort of tree celebration party.

"Ummmmm" said Charlotte. I stared at her. What was going on? Was it true? Everyone at school had been calling me the daughter of some creepy clone family. Why was that even possible?

"What, what, tell me!"I yelled. Some of the other people looked at me in surprise and started to mutter.

"Magic!"Supplied Kira My mind was reeling, magic did exist? But why were Kira and Charlotte caught up in it? Another girl stared at me, she was small with wavy blonde hair and blue eyes.

"Hi" she said "I'm Marion" Marion was blushing as she glanced towards a boy about three years older than her. He had short black hair and brown eyes. He was quite tall but the way he was talking sounded like he was rude and annoying.

"That's Charlus," she whispered into my ear. I looked the boy over again. Maybe he wasn't so bad. If this little innocent girl knew him on a first name basis then how could he be as rude as he looked.

A shout came from inside the ruin. A young woman came walking out of the rusty doors. Who was she? She had brown hair tied up in a bun. She was covered in a set of green, what looked like, curtains. That was weird. I suddenly noticed that all of the children were wearing the same thing. Black robes, it looked like. With multi coloured ties and a crest on a pocket.

"Is this some kind of club?" I asked somewhat hesitantly, unsure if Kira was telling the truth about magic or not.

"Who is this, Miss Manning, Miss Deston, Miss Porter? Detention, all three of you for almost breaking the law." She said.

"Me as well?" said Marion. She looked scared and she was shaking.

"Yes, Miss Porter. You as well. Nothing permitted you to sneak into the village last night." The woman sounded surprised at Marion. "New girl, what is your name?" she continued.

"Madeline Manning" I said nervously.

"Is this your sister?" she said in a commanding tone, pointing at Kira. I nodded, yes, and waited for a response.

"Well Madeline Manning, I am a teacher at this school that I trust your mother has told you both of the reason you are here. We will continue this is Professor Dippets office." She gave a glare across to the other, well I guess, students and led me and Kira off towards the ruin. She tossed me a ring. I slipped it on my finger and suddenly a castle popped into view. I could see bight green grass and a lovely lake, grand doors and a huge entrance hall. I must have been gawping because Kira gave me a knowing smile. I guess she felt the same way when she arrived.