-Black Rose-

Inside I felt unsettled and restless. I groped one sweaty hand with the other and bit into the side of my pale cheek. For today, I would start the first day of my new school, the renowned and most prestigious Hogwarts School of Witch craft and Wizardry.

But as it turns out I am not some small, over-excited first year ready to start my life as a wizard or witch, no, I am sixteen years of age and am quite anxious at starting my sixth year at a new school. Originally I was a student at Beauxbatons; it was not until one month ago that my father and I moved from France to England because of his career, he works for the bank, a muggle bank, because that is what he is, a muggle. My mother was they first witch in our family for centuries, or even the first witch in my bloodline altogether.

She passed away, last year. The power of Voldemort is rising with each day. Any muggle-born or half-blood is prey to this Dark Lord, including myself. The Death-Eaters killed my mother and my father fears that he will experience the horror of seeing both his wife and daughter lowered into the ground. No parent should live to see the death of their child.

So here I find myself in front of my full-length mirror, surveying my appearance with a scrutinizing eye. Some silly people say that I am pretty, with a delicate bone structure, a halo of chocolate curls inherited from my mother and soft, pink lips I was considered a natural beauty. But my pale skin and splashing of freckles across an awfully delicate looking nose was not at all attractive to my taste. I scrunched up my nose in distaste, and snorted in the back of my throat…silly people.

My amber eyes widen and my mouth turns into a soft 'O' as I feel the silkiness of sleek, black fur against my leg. I look down at the inquisitive face of my best friend and pet, Luce. She was a gift for my thirteenth birthday and we have been good friends ever since.

The feeling of the feline reminded me that I was due downstairs, ready to live soon. I ran one hand through my soft curls in frustration. My trunk was packed and ready to go, the paint was cracked and faint gold lettering could be seen in the corner; A.J.M. The initials of my name: Anna, Julie, Morain. But to my friends and to you, I am just plain Anna.

Last night I had found myself packing and repacking my trunk to my liking. Hogwarts was a new experience for me and everything had to be perfect.

So with one final approval of my appearance and clothing choice, plain blue jeans and a stylish red top under a nice little, white cardigan, I swept my cat into the crook of one arm and with the other barely succeeded in hauling my trunk down the staircase and out into the drive by myself.

The trip to the train station went far to fast for my liking. I sat there, staring out the window with Luce tightly curled up on my lap fast asleep. To anyone that was looking it would seem that I was quite fascinated with the boring, flat landscape. Though inside my head a war was raging.

Will I like my new teachers? Will I make friends? What new people will I meet? Hmmm…I hope there are some cute guys there.

I was knocked out of my pleasant dream when a familiar face came into view. My father, Robert Morain, otherwise know as dad was standing there with the car door open, it seemed we had arrived at the station, with a worried look on his face.

"You alright love? You seemed a bit out of it." He said, still with that look on his face.

"I'm Fine dad." I replied airily. I stepped out of the car, not so gracefully, and Luce hoped out behind me. She would follow me everywhere, just like a guard-dog. Or in this case a guard-cat.

Silently I moved to the back of the car and heaved my heavy trunk out, trailing it as went. I had started to move onto the platform when I stopped, not hearing the trail of my father's footsteps behind me. I looked back to see that he hadn't moved from his former position at all and was still hovering around the door of the car.

"Dad? Come on we have to hurry. My train leaves in only 10 minutes, we still have to find the platform yet." I said exasperatedly.

"I'm sorry Anna but I can't come with you, work you know? I am already late because I had to drop you off. I guess you will have to do this one alone." He said apologetically.

It was kind of a tradition of ours. Dad would always be there on my first day, for support I guess. The thought of having no-one to say goodbye to on the platform saddened me.

"Oh…" I said sadly. "That's fine, I understand work is important. Well I guess I will see you at Christmas. You will write me?" I asked hopefully.

"Of course love." He replied easily "I will write you a letter tonight and tomorrow night, one the night after that, and the one after that and even the-…"

"NO! Too much fatherly love, it's suffocating me!" I cried dramatically while putting one hand across my forehead. We both laughed together, and I wrapped my arms around his waist in a tight hug.

'I will really miss you dad." I said into his shoulder.

"Me to love. Me to."

I gave him one final look and a little wave, and with that headed of onto the crowded platform, trunk trailing behind and Luce weaving in and out of the crowd next me.

"So Hogwarts." I thought as I saw a group of snooty looking kids about my age, also with trunks but wearing wizard robes. They must be Purebloods. "What have you got for me?"

A/N: Alright! well that was the first chapter. I hoped you enjoyed it. And if you have any advice that may fit into the plot I will be happy to take it on board. Please review! They are much appreciated!

Irish.M xoxo