"No drugs,"

"Dad, it's not like I'm going to some school in Detroit. I think I'm perfectly capable of—"

"No sex,"

"Dad—"

"No drinking, "

"DAD—"

"I know, I know. Just be safe, okay?" The teenage girl rolled her eyes at her father. "Okay?" He enunciated.

"Yes. Okay. Will do. No problem," a flash of red hair in the corner of her eye. The youth turned her head slightly to follow the redhead. It didn't go unnoticed.

"Brigit, are you listening to me? You'll have to stay at school for Christmas," her dad let out a small sigh. He had clearly lost her attention.

"Mmhmm. Listen, the train is leaving soon. I'll owl as soon as I get a chance, probably tonight. Tell mom I love her and give Michael a pinch for me," she kissed him on the cheek. If she didn't leave soon they would both start crying, and that was public attention she just didn't need. "I love you."

"I love you too. Have fun, Bri. Promise me you'll try to stay out of trouble,"

"Never," she winked a hazel eye at her father. She kissed his cheek softly and felt the knot in her stomach grow larger. How on Earth was she going to find platform 9 ¾? That doesn't even make sense!

Sors Major was not a man to show much affection in public, but the thought of his baby girl going away to school made the back of his throat tighten. Fighting back tears he gave her a big hug. Not enough to last a year. Not enough to protect his baby girl.

"Bye, honey," he stroked his daughters cheek with the back of his hand. And then he was gone. She let out a sigh. "Now to find someone who knows how the hell to get to this school." With a train that leaves promptly at 11 o'clock, time was not something to waste.

Humming to herself, she looked around the station in search of someone who could help her. Spotting the redhead again, the young girl hugged two adults who appeared to be her mother and father. A younger girl, probably a sister, looked on next to her with slight disdain coloring her face. As the girl reached up to hug her father, her shirt tightened slightly around her torso, leaving a slight imprint of a slender piece of wood next to her skin. "A wand?" Brigit mused. She decided to give it a shot. If she was wrong, she could always play herself off as one of the many loons of London.

"Excuse me?" Brigit called, walking closer to the parting family. She dragged her trolley around with her. Her owl, Artemis, gave a small hoot of protest to being jolted so suddenly.

Was it odd to be carrying around an owl? Was it odd to be looking for people to be carrying wands? In the muggle world, it was indeed something one didn't hear of everyday. In Brigit Major's world, however, magic and wizards were a regular topic. She was a witch about to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and she couldn't be any less normal.

The redhead and her family turned towards the sound of her voice. "Excuse me?" she repeated, walking closer. The family gave her an inquiring look while taking in her appearance. Dressed as a muggle for the sake of the train station, the only thing odd about her was the complete and utter confidence in which she carried herself.

"Can I help you?" The redhead questioned with a smile.

"Yeah, actually. How do you get to platform nine and three quarters?" With a small smile she took in the shocked faces of the redhead's family. The girl, however, didn't seem to be surprised at all.

Instead of answering, the girl said, "I'm Lily Evans."

"Brigit Major."

"Well, Brigit, let's go catch that train," and with a friendly grin, they started an unforgettable year.

The platform was a sea of parents crying, friends hugging, owls hooting, and various shouts from the engineers. Brigit stood on the other side of the brick wall in awe, attempting in vain to take it all in. Her life had been anything but charmed and this school was clearly the epitome of enchanted. She noticed several students wearing what looked to be mascots of some sort and colors to match. "This must be the house colors," she said to herself smartly. Thinking very plainly that she would rather be anything but the yellow and black combination, she made her way to the train.

Lily Evans, the mysterious redhead Brigit had become friendly with in the past five minutes, seemed to be searching around the platform for something.

"Something tickle your fancy, Evans?" A voice rang out behind the pair. Lily quickly turned a deep shade of crimson.

"I have to say, Lily," Brigit snickered as she turned to look at who was addressing Lily, "that shade of your face clashes terribly with your hair."

"Bite me," Lily glared.

"With pleasure," the boy had reached them. "Just say when and where." The boy was certainly pleasant to look at. His spectacled hazel eyes made their way up and down Brigit's' body. He seemed to approve. "Who's your friend?"

"She's not interested."

"Oh, come on, Evans. Loosen up. Let your hair down. Smell the roses," This boy was clearly comfortable in his own skin.

"The only thing I smell, Potter, is you," she snapped. Apparently Lily wasn't fond of this Potter boy.

"That hurt, Evans. Right here," he patted his chest where his heart would be. "Come on, Evans. Go on a date with me. Everyone knows you want to. Isn't that right?" Now he looked to Brigit for confirmation. Lily turned to face her with a look on her face that clearly read 'agree with him and you die'.

"Maybe acting like an arrogant prat works on your fan club, Potter, but it certainly isn't working on me." With that, Lily turned on her heel and strode to the train without a glance back. Brigit couldn't help but notice that the boy looked crestfallen.

"I'm Brigit Major and if it helps at all it seems that she does actually like you," Brigit smiled shyly, extending out her hand.

"Sirius Black," a young boy had come up behind the Potter kid and leapt in front of him in attempt to embrace the hand first.

"James Potter," James said, elbowing Sirius out of the way. "You don't need to know him," he pointed at Sirius, an exceptionally handsome young man, who mimed having his heart ripped out. Brigit restrained herself from laughing at his antics.

"C'mon, beautiful. Let's go find our friends," Sirius winked flirtatiously. Brigit allowed them to lead her onto the train and off the noisy platform. Sirius and James left her with a wave, ducking into a compartment where she could hear shouts and greetings from several voices.

Alone once more, Brigit looked up and down the long aisles of compartments. She heard giggling girls, rowdy boys, and different spells being cast in each compartment. Happiness.

Brigit had not had a difficult childhood. Her father was a healer working at St. Mungo's and then was transferred to America where she was born. Her older brother loved her and they had a great relationship. Her mother was fantastic, Brigit's best friend. Unfortunately, they all harbored a secret. Something she was not allowed to tell anyone. Of course, she had told a couple people. Previous boyfriends, other best friends…but she hadn't told anyone important. Never all the details, either. 'There are some things you just have to keep quiet' her mother always told her.

But why? Why did this have to be kept a secret? Her mother was trying to protect her. Protect her? Brigit had the cliché teenage attitude. She knows everything. No one can ever tell her something she doesn't know. She is smart enough to take anything on. She is competent enough to know everything about everyone. She could face He-who-must-not-be-named single handedly.

Too bad all of this was true.