Author's note: Ok, well, I'm on to my second fic! YAY!
Ok, first off, the only character I've created in this fic is Selina, other people created the rest, and I don't own them in any way.
Second, if you have read my other fic ("A Summer Not Easily Forgotten"), and know of Selina, this is a completely different story, and has no relation whatsoever to the first.
Please read and review!

Another Author's Note (posted on March 5th, 05): Well, I knew I had grammar and formatting issues, but I don't remember it being so bad. I suppose it's a good thing I'm re formatting it right now.

Chapter 1: The Letter

Summer had nearly come to an end. Selina Snape was sitting outside her house, enjoying the last of the summer weather.

"Selina?" Called the voice of her father, Severus Snape, from inside the house.
"Coming." Selina called back, getting up and heading inside the house.

She found her father sitting in the living room.
"You called?" She asked.
"Yes, Selina, I did. Have a seat." Severus said, looking somewhat nervous, and nodding towards a nearby chair.

Selina sat.
"Is everything alright, father?" She asked, noticing his slight nervousness.
"Well, yes and no, depending on how you take this news." Her father replied.
"News?" Selina asked in a confused tone.
"Well, as you know, a new year at Hogwarts is about to begin." Severus started.

Selina nodded. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was the school she currently attended. Her father was the potions teacher there.

"Well, I received a letter from your mother today." Severus continued.
"Mother sent a letter? She never sends letters." Said Selina.

Her parents had separated many years ago and she only saw or heard from her mother on holidays.

"Yes." Severus replied.
"What did she have to say?" Asked Selina.
"Well, it was more of a request. She would like you to attend Cackles this year." Severus replied.

Selina's mother, Constance Hardbroom, was the potions teacher at Cackles Academy.

"She does?" Asked Selina.
"Well, she seems to feel you're not learning enough at Hogwarts. They have the same classes as we do for the most part, but they do things differently from what I've been told." Said Severus.

Selina sighed.
"Well, that's quite a shock." She said.
"I know, it came as a shock to me as well, but it's only for a year, and if you would like to return to Hogwarts at any time, I'm sure I can talk you out of staying at Cackles." Said Severus.

Selina was silent for a moment, thinking it over.
"Well, I suppose I could give it a try." She said.
Severus smiled.
"That's my girl."
Selina laughed.

"Well, when do we leave?" She asked a few moments later.
"Well, your mother has given me directions on how to arrive on broomstick, so we'll have to leave tonight from the look of things." Severus replied.
"I'll go pack then." Said Selina.
"No need. Your mother said she would have everything you'll need and to bring nothing but yourself. I'm going to talk her into letting you keep your owl with you though, so we have a way to talk to each other." Said Severus.

Selina smiled.
"Good idea. And I'm sure you'll have to talk her into it, as it seems she doesn't use owls." She said.
"No, nobody at Cackles uses owls, it's one of the many differences. You're mother also asked that you leave your wand here." Said Severus.
"They don't use wands?" Selina asked in amazement.
"Apparently not." Replied Severus.
Selina looked shocked.
"This could be an interesting year." She said.
"I agree, it will be an interesting year for the both of us." Replied Severus