The Secret of the Centaurs

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the places but I own all of the characters except for some of the teachers, and the letters form Hogwarts which belong to J. K. Rowling. And the Quiz is from HarryPotter.com (I think is that right?) any way the story…

The Secret of the Centaurs

By: Korinna Myorin

Chapter 1

**********10am**********

As an owl swooped down on to land on a Kat StarGazer's head, her eyes popped open and she… screamed, "Ahhhhhhhh, what in the world is a owl doing on my head?! Daaaadddddd!"

Her father, Aldur StarGazer came screeching to a halt in front of Kat's door. As soon as he saw what was happening, he visibly relaxed.

"Why are you so relaxed?! Do you have any idea what an owl is doing on my head? Or maybe why the owl (which was still on her head) gave me this letter?" As Kat calmed down she noticed the letter addressed to her at her new house 68 Pivot Dr.

"Don't worry it was only the owl post," replied her father.

"Oh." Kat said, but then her father's words finally sank in. "What do you mean only owl post?" she asked, her voice dangerously quiet.

"Oh yeah," he said sheepishly, and he started to explain. "Well you see today is your eleventh birthday…"

"For which I was very rudely awakened," Kat said hotly.

"Yes, but since this year is the year of your eleventh birthday I knew you would get this letter some time this month, funny it coming on your birthday though." He chuckled.

"Why were you expecting a letter from and owl?"

"Oh, I guess I'd better explain. I'm from a magical family." So Alder explained about his family and the magical world.

So while they are talking I'll fill you in on some stuff. OK, Kat's hair is golden brown and falls in ringlets on to her shoulders. She has green eyes most of the time but they change once in a while to blue, blue-green, or blue-gray, which Kat has never gotten used to. Her mother died when Kat was little, and Kat remembers very little about her. Kat is a bit tall for her age, and she passes her classes with an A-B average. Kat was born in the US, and just moved to Britain for the next year of school. By the way today is August 1st.

*****8pm*******

"Wow, dad, you had a pretty exciting life after all." She said with a yawn. Then "Can I open the letter? And what do I do with the owl?"

"Well, the owl is waiting for a reply, so just take a piece of parchment…"

"A piece of what?" She was getting tired of the game now.

"Paper."

"Oohhh"

"So off you go," he said to the owl, "and tomorrow we'll go buy your supplies since we wont have much time till school starts. Open up the letter to find out where we go."

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 Ms. StarGazer,

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 more than 31.

Yours sincerely,

Canandra Mandra

Canandra Mandra,

Deputy Headmistress

That was the first sheet of paper, in the second there was…

HOGWARTS SCHOOL

of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

UNIFORM

First-year students will require:

  1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
  2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
  3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
  4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings

Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry nametags

COURES 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 Beginners' 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 and owl OR a cat OR a toad

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS

"I can't wait till we go to the wizarding world," Kat said wistfully after reading the letter.

"Yeah I haven't been there in a long time, even if this is a different country than the one that I went to school in. So tomorrow we'll go to this Leaky Cauldron. OK? Now then, let's get some sleep. After all, school is just 4 weeks away," replied her father.

"Good night, sweet"

"G-night, dad"

So Kat fell asleep completely oblivious of the unopened presents from her birthday waiting to be unwrapped. And so a now 11 year old Kat is asleep dreaming of doing magical spells, flying broom sticks, and maybe playing quidditch, but she's still not sure she understands everything her dad tried to explain.

******The next morning***********

Kat yawns and looks around her and screams just like the morning before.

Then her father trudges in asking, "What now?"

"Well" said Kat thinking "I never did open my presents yesterday with you yaking the whole day long, and after that WE CAN GO SHOPPING! Lets get started!"

Kat started this by jumping on the floor and started ripping open her presents.

Some presents that she got were, a new shiny green dress (her favorite color), a charm bracelet that her dad said that they'd go buy some charms for in the wizarding world today, some new CD's from her friends, and a big envelope of money from her relatives. Her dad said they would exchange them for wizard money: like Galleons and Sickles.

So the day began with Kat and Aldur walking down the busy street looking for the Leaky Cauldron, and getting looks when they stopped to ask.

"Ooh, look, there it is! Come on, dad!" Kat said as she pulled her father along faster to the pub that no one but them could see, from the look of it.

As they walked in a younger man, named Waldo, greeted them.

"Hello, me name is Waldo, are youse' a muggle family who's kid's goin' to a wizarding school?"

"No, sir, I'm an American wizard living in the Muggle world, so this was the only way I knew of getting here," replied Aldur.

"Ah well next time you can use Floo powder if you get your chimney hooked up" answered Waldo.

"Thanks, what do you think, Kat? Should we get our fire place hooked up?"

"Well, sir, if I might suggest, you should, in case you didn't know about He-Who-Should-Not-Be-Named being on a rampage" Waldo shuddered.

"Ah, yes, I think that I've heard of him, but I've been so out of touch with the wizarding world but then I'd like to hook us up to the Floo chain."

While this was going on Kat has been pulling on her dad's sleeve trying to get his attention.

"Dad" she said in an annoying voice, "What's Floo powder and who's the who shouldn't be named guy?"

"Ah well" looking guiltily at the bar tender and then replied "He-Who-Should-Not-Be-Named is a very evil wizard and Floo powder is a way of getting places in the wizarding world through fire places" her father replied.

"So lets go shopping NOW," Kat said.

So they took off to the Diagon Alley and exchanged their money at the bank, Gringotts, and ordered her father's investment in America to be shipped to England. Then they were trying to figure out where to go next when Kat saw the robe store.

"Ooh, robes are definitely first on my list. Why do they have be black, what color were yours, dad?"

" Oh, my school's were a navy blue color, but it never really matters. We'll buy you a dress robe anyway."

So they go into the store and; got Kat fitted, they picked out the material for the dress robe, and chose a type robe that grew with you so if you tugged it, it would stretch. The design was the solar system that moved around on it and twinkled. Also in the shop she met some other Hogwarts students including a girl named Rose Ladern and Wyn Hethon (a boy), who she took a liking to and would be in the same school year with.

Rose looked like her name: she had dark long straight red hair and her favorite color was pink. She was slim, loved shopping and boys, and hated playing sports, unlike Kat, who just liked shopping a bit and adored playing sports. Wyn ,on the other hand, had a hand for mischief, and, as Rose said, almost never got caught. Rose was Wyn's neighbor. He had black hair and crystal blue eyes he, he also didn't really like sports but could play it he was needed.

"So" Wyn said "have you guys got your wands yet?"

They both answered 'no' so they next went to Olivnader's wands, where they met Mr. Olivander. Kat went first.

"Well, let's take your measurements," Mr. Olivander said and the tape measure started measuring her and he started looking for a wand.

"So what's your wand arm, or your writing hand?"

"Left."

"OK, here we go, take this and swing it around" she raised it, but it was snatched away immediately.

Her new friends, in the mean time, were struggling to control their laughter at her surprised face, including her father.

"Try this, mahogany, 13 inches, no? Well I love challenges, and it's the wand who chooses the witch or wizard. Now willow 10 inches, unicorn hair, no again? Try oak, 11 inches with dragon heart string, no oh my." This kept going till he started getting less and less enthusiastic, but he found the last box that he could find. 'Well, this better work or I'll be going back on my word of being able to find a wand for everyone' he thought.

Her friends were now asleep in the 2 chairs in the room because it had now been almost 2 hours.

"Well this is an interesting combination, I made this one long ago, thought it to be useless, well no harm in trying. It, well, it is 13 inches, maple, with 1 hair of a centaur and one streak of star, I've always wondered why the centaur made me make this wand." He handed it to her, and she felt it go warm in her hand. She and lifted it up and he almost grabbed it from her but stars began shooting out of it. Mr. Olivander jumped for joy, and started to wake up Rose to find her wand match while her father looked at her thoughtfully.

Kat sat down heavily as Olivander started handing Rose wands, and on the third try roses started coming out of the wand of 10 inches, rose bush with a unicorn hair inside. Then Wyn got his on the 13th try after he woke up that is, and it was 14 inches pinewood with a phoenix feather and dragon heart.

So then they bought the books and they when to the Animal shop, where Rose got a cat that deeply reminded Kat of the Cheshire cat from Alice and Wonderland, but Rose, being from a wizarding family had never seen the movie, but decided after that to call in Cheshire. Wyn got a cat also, which surprised Kat (she'd thought he'd get a toad). His cat was black with blue streaks (from the last wizard owner) and her name was Bluestreak "how original" was how Kat put it. Kat being the different person she was got a snowy owl and named it Alderna after the planet of Alderaan (she likes star wars).

They said farewell ("Bye"), and promised to see each other at Hogwarts. Now dragging a trunk of her new belongings, Kat couldn't wait till school started.

Weeks passed, busy with getting ready. Kat kept in touch with her two new friends (by owl post) and visited Rose a couple times by Floo powder. Soon the day came. Her father showed her how to get on the train by going through the barrier between platform 9 and 10. When she got to the platform the number and noise of all the people surprised her as her father reminded her to write.

So she stowed her stuff and started looking for her friends she went through all the compartments and couldn't find them so she just sat down with a boy 2 years older (so he's in third year), and talked with him. They had the compartment to themselves, and she found out his name was Dahlynn but went by Lynn, he explained Quiditch for her and she finally understood. It was a game played on brooms played with seven players, three chasers who try to score with the quaffle (a ball) in 2 of the opposing sides goal rings, two beaters who try to keep blugers which try to hit players off their players. A keeper who tries to stop the opposing chasers to score, and lastly the seeker who has to look for the snitch, which is a golden ball with wings and only when the snitch is caught is when the game is over. She found out he was in Gryfindor; (there are four houses at school, Gryfindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, and Hufflepuff.) So they talked about their families and she found out he loves Quiditch and is the chaser for Gryfindor, though first years aren't allowed, (dang it thought Kat).

"Will all students please change into their robes, Hogwarts is 10 minutes away" The announcer said. So they both went to change in the bathrooms, and then said good bye as the crowed separated from the first years. They looked at the huge shadow who was bellowing, "First years, First years, this way to the carriages," (later on they found out it was the gamekeeper Hagrid). Everyone got in the carriages and Kat found Rose and her new friends who she met on the train. As the girls whose names were Faith Chang, Emily Reinald, and Sally Bordens. All of them were yakking away about boys and shopping, while Kat sat and looked out the window waiting for the first view of Hogwarts but then they had to get on some boats. She sat with Rose, Faye and Sally, and she was quite once more till the question of boyfriends came up…

"So Kat do you have a boyfriend in America?"

She already had an answer to that, "No,"

They looked disappointed but then got into the subject of crushes because none of them had boyfriends.

"I saw a lot of cute boys on the train, but most of them are older than us." They all sighed along with Rose as she said that. "So Kat, I didn't see you? What did you do on the train," asked Rose trying to get Kat to talk.

"Oh yeah I couldn't find you so I went to the back of the train and met a guy," she now had all of their attention as she said guy. "His name was Lynn and he's in Gryfindor if I remember correctly."

"Was he cute?" asked Susan.

"Well I don't exactly understand your definition of cute, but he was nice."

They all looked agitated but were soon changed to awe as the first view of Hogwarts came up and then the boats stopped, and they all got out. They met Professor Mandra the deputy headmistress and she lead them to an empty room to wait for the sorting.

As they soon found out that the way of sorting was a secret and some said you had to do a spell but no one new one so that seemed pointless. So they waited till Prof. Mandra came back and she led them to the Great Hall. They all stared the ceiling because it looked like the sky, for that matter exactly like it. But they didn't have much time to think about it because Prof. Mandra came back with an old hat and a stool. They all breathed a sigh of relief when they found out the sorting was just trying to put on a hat. But then all of a sudden…

The hat started singing, as the brim of the hat opened wide like a mouth:

"Oh, you always wonder what house you'll be in

But I'll make that choice if you don't mind,

For I am the Hogwarts sorting hat

The Founders themselves created me

And till the day that I'm irreparable I'll keep my job.

So if you're brave and daring nerve and chivalry,

Gryfindor may be your home.

But if you're patient, loyal, and unafraid of toil,

Might be Hufflepuff who'll keep you,

Maybe you're a wise and of wit and learning,

Then Ravenclaw will take you in.

Or maybe your real friends aren't that,

They are cunning folk and will do anything to achieve their goal,

Then they are in Slytherin your friends are.

So put me on and I'll see right through you,

Then I'll know what house to put you

And if I don't then I'll explode

Then you'll have to decide instead.

So put me on your in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!"

The whole hall burst into applause as it finished. And for some reason the Hat's words made her nervous but she didn't know why. So the names started being called by Prof. Mandra:

"Chang, Faye"

"RAVENCLAW" shouted the hat, and the first years jumped not expecting that.

"Chris, Hannah"

"SLYTHERIN"

So it went on to after a while:

"Bodens, Sally"

"GRYFFINDOR"

"Kaldern, Rose"

"GRYFINDOR"

Then after a while of not knowing anyone Kat saw…

"Hethon, Wynelim"

He blushed deep red as he scurried to pick up the hat.

"RAVENCLAW"

Then finally came:

"Then last but not least StarGrazer(the way she pronounced it), Kathleen

Kat just stared at her, she had not heard anyone pronounce her name so horribly as that woman had just did.

Then she spoke up shyly, "It's Kat StarGazer"

The woman blushed slightly and said:

"Sorry I got that wrong it seems, StarGazer, Kat."

Kat walked slowly to the front, savoring the wonder of which house she'll be in. Then she put the hat on and sat down.

"Hello Miss. StarGazer it took you long enough, but lets see, hmm, well your intelligent and will one day be wise but not Hufflepuff. You can be brave and chivalrous but. Aarrgg, I don't know so I'd better blow up right?" the hat chuckled in her mind (that whole thing the hat said was just to her)

Kat quickly stood up and through the hat to the ground and ducked as the small explosion went off. The man who she guessed to be Dumbledore with a white beard and half moon glasses, stood up and said, "What happened?" His voice was gentle but firm

"I …I don't really know the hat was listing my qualities…"

"He couldn't find what house your in and then warned you in time before he did the explosion" he guessed shaking his head.

She nodded bewildered.

"Well then Miss. StarGazer find a friend to sit with for now and we'll sort this out after dinner since I'm sure everyone's starved after their long journey" he said eyes twinkling. "So the usual don't go into the Forbidden Forest because it is forbidden. And no magic in halls would be nice due to the complaints from Mr. Filtch. And good eating!"

That left Kat looking for someone to sit with. She saw Rose but she was deep in talk with some other girls and the other girls from the carriages were to . From the look Wyn was discussing how to wreak havoc in Hogwarts with a second year. Then she spotted Lynn from the train, he waved and she felt a wave of relief sweep her up that she wasn't forgotten.

"So Kat I see you have a little dilemma, eh?" Lynn said as she walked up to the seat next to him and sat down.

"Yes, and even now I'm surprised about the hat blowing up." Kat replied shaking her head.

"Well it didn't exactly blow up, but it was smart to throw it or else you would be black. But moving on, these are some of my friends, Michael, Adriana, and Jason." They smiled sympathetically at her, she waved it off and Lynn continued. "this is Kat, who kept me company on the train ride because, you deserted me for playing a trick on the bimbos! The humanity" They all laughed and then started eating talking about their schedules and explaining things to her when she didn't understand.

At last the meal was over, even dessert, Kat felt very welcome in their group and smiled thankfully at them. Dumbledore then rose and said now before we go to sleep let us sing the school song, so everyone pick their favorite tunes and sing…" he waved his wand and all of the words came out of his wand every one sang:

"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,

Teach us something please

Whether we be so old and bald

Or young with scabby knees,

Our heads could do with filling

With some interesting stuff,

For now they're bare and full of air,

Dead flies and bits of fluff,

So teach us things worth knowing,

Bring back what we've forgot,

Just do your best, we'll do the rest.

And learn until our brains all rot"

Everyone finished at different times till Lynn and his friends are left singing to the funeral march and Dumbledore conducted their ending though it didn't matter since they had no real tune.

"Now go to bed, and classes start tomorrow. Miss StarGazer will you please come here?" he dismissed the other students.

Kat nervously walked up to the headmaster, "I'm sorry," she said quietly.

"It is not your fault Miss StarGazer, but I was wondering about your name Stargazer where did it come from. Is your family from England?"

"Ok, my name my dad says there is a myth about how our family got it something about a centaur giving it to us a long time ago, but no my family is from the U.S., we just moved here this year and I got the letter."

"Ah, ok well we have to find a house for you since this stubborn hat has not. So we have a small quiz incase this was to happen so if you would please follow me."
So they walked up one flight of stairs and turned a dozen times so that Kat was completely turned around. Then they came to a Gargoyle statue and Dumbledore said, "Gum drop, (the gargoyle started moving aside), I love candy." He winked at her. So they walked into his office and he went strait to a filing cabinet, while Kat sat down in one of the chairs.

"Ah, here it is, now it is multiple choice and just write then answer on this piece of paper. Ok now here you go." He said handing her two pieces of paper and a quill.

So Kat set to work and was looking at the questions.

1. What spell would you most like to cast on yourself?

(A) Invisibility {oh yeah!}

B. Ability to fly

C. Super strength

D. Transfiguration

2. Which flavor would you prefer of Berties Botts Every Flavor Beans?

    1. spinach
    2. horse radish
    3. Lima bean {yuck!}

(D.) Chocolate

3. What animal would you pick for your Hogwarts pet?
    1. owl
    2. frog
    3. rat

(D.) Tree monkey {definitely}

4. Which Quidditch position would you most like to play?

(A.) Seeker {of course the best}

B. Chaser
    1. Keeper
    2. Referee

5. If you found a satchel of Galleons what would you do?

(A.) Return it

B. Donate it
    1. save it
    2. spend it {I'm not that mean}

[Key: () is Kat talking in her head and {} for her thoughts]

As Kat finished writing her answers quickly, Dumbledore was searching the room.

"I know it is some where on this shelf." Dumbledore was mumbling on and on.

"What's that you're looking for?"

"Oh it is the thing that with that information chooses the house. Ah, here it is." As he said that he held up what looked like a folder.

"So put the quiz in here." He said handing it closer to her. So she put it in and then Dumbledore took it out to see whether it worked or not. But when he pulled it out it had one word on it:

GRYFINDOR

"Well now there is no doubt in that you're in Gryfindor, though I can't see why the hat couldn't do that instead." He sighed and shook his head. "I'll send a bed and your trunk up there right away, and I am sorry for the inconvenience, this has never happened before though we were ready if it did. So I'll show you to your dorm now quietly I'm sure everyone is asleep."

They walked down the hall, seeing no one, and then they came to a stop in front of a portrait of a fat lady, and Dumbledore said "Bubble gum" with a twinkle in his eye. Then the portrait swung open, to reveal, four people in the common room, which consisted of many poofy chairs, a fire place and tables for studying. Those four people happened to be, Lynn, Michael, Adrianna, and Jason, who were playing or watching wizard chess. They all looked up as they walked in and stared as the headmaster walked in and raised an eyebrow, "Isn't is after hours children?"

They all nodded and rushed up staircases, Adrianna up one and the boys up the other. Kat giggled a bit was soon silenced as they started up the girls' staircase to a door labeled "First Years", and Kat could have swore she heard whispering, and giggles inside but said nothing about it, because from the look in Dumbledore's eyes he noticed. The room was nice it had five four poster beds, all had a cloth that can be pulled to cut you off from other people. Her bed was at the other side of the room, so they crept quietly across the room, and came to her bed then Dumbledore spoke. "If you need anything just ask me" then he murmured something under his breath and disappeared.

After to tired to do anything Kat flopped onto the bed and fell asleep.

Author's note: Hello peoples tell me if you liked it or not because it is my first story I'm putting up on FFN. Any way REVIEW please!