Kate slowly opened her eyes, and the blurry nurse's office came into view. She had not spoken or responded to anyone in the four days since the incident. She heard people repeatedly asking her 'What happened? Who did this?' Just as they had since she she'd awoken. She just continued to stare blankly at nothing, wishing everyone, and everything would just go away. Suddenly a voice she recognised called her name. She turned her head to see Mrs. McGonagall looking at her quietly.

"Kate, did you do all this?"

Kate's eyes began to tear. She just closed them and nodded, her head falling back to the bed. As Mrs. McGonagall comforted her, all she saw was her fiery red hair, proof of her final failure.

******************************************

As Kate waited for the bus, in the empty parking lot with her parents, she didn't know whether to be pleased or distraught. She was returning to the Salem Witches' Institute for her second year. Kate loved being a witch, but life hadn't exactly turned out as she hoped.

Kate was a rather plain girl, with murky brown hair and thick glasses, who seemed permanently stuck in her awkward phase. Her parents were muggles from Britain. They had immigrated to the US in the late seventies, when the economy and life looked black for those living in the north of England.

Although she loved her parents, this had caused no end of trouble for Kate. When she had attended the local elementary school, she had been picked on for everything from how she talked to what she wore. She found her only escape was though books, but that made the taunting worse.

So when her letter arrived from the Institute, she was thrilled. Here was the reason she didn't fit in! She was a witch! Her parents were shocked with the change in Kate. The gladly bought all her school books and robes, if only it would only keep the sparkle in her eyes.

Unfortunately, when she arrived at the Salem Witches' Institute, things hadn't changed. The only friend she made was in Mrs. McGonagall the charms teacher. She often went to her when she was lonely and compared what it was like growing up with British parents.

Again she found herself seeking refuge in books. She became the best student, purely because she loved the classes…and she had nothing else to do.

And now she was going back for her second year. As the bus popped into existence she said her good-byes to her parents. After they loaded her duffel under the bus, she turned steeled herself for the gauntlet.

She slowly walked up the stairs, and at the top, saw a sea of glares. The bus was only half full, but most people seemed to be seated alone. And all of their faces said 'Don't sit here'. Kate slowly made her way towards the back of the bus. She managed to dodge the attempts to trip her, and ignore the cruel comments thrown her way. Finally she saw her salvation, an empty row of seats, right in front of the bathroom. She didn't care. She quickly sat down and placed her book bag on the seat next to her, she knew no one was going to sit there.

She looked out the window and saw her parent waving at her. She quickly smiled and waved back happily, the lie falling from her face as soon as her parent were out of sight. The bus banged loudly as they left her home, she closed her eyes and leaned her head against the window. It would be a long year.