Chapter one

'The point at which the wand the master understands each other is known as the virganexu bond. At this point the energy of the wizard and the wand become one and spells work as unspoken commands.' – The magical connection, Flavius Holbrook

I always thought that coming to Hogwarts would be the best day of my life. At least, that's what my parents told me it would be. They proudly turned up at Kings Cross and waved the train goodbye. It wasn't until they were out of sight that I felt truly alone. There were others inside my carriage, sharing tales of magical adventures and of what Hogwarts had been like before it was shut down for repairs. We had all attended classes elsewhere but they were all tiny and hardly made up for the years away from the castle.

I sat between a girl with short brown hair. It seemed she thought it would be cool to walk around with an anti-gravity spell cast over it. The result- a huge quiff and her hair sticking out everywhere that was constantly moving, even when she wasn't. I figured she wasn't the best person to make friends with on my first day. On the other side of me was a boy that sniggered at every little comment someone made. I swear after the fifth time I was ready to punch this guy in the face. But I just sat there, not talking and they left me alone.

When we arrived at the station we all looked up at the wondrous towers of what would soon be our new home. Then, after a short journey in a cart that moved by itself, we arrived. Outside there were huge queues just to get into the grand hall. Since everyone was arriving for the first time, everyone had to be sorted. This was going to be a long day. From my place in the back I could only just make out the soft melodic tune of the sorting hat singing it's welcoming song:

'There once were four young men

Who dreamed of something better than them

So they came to this place right here

And built the school that we hold dear

One was named Hufflepuff

Another was Ravenclaw

Then there was brave Gryffindor

And that sly Slytherin

They each chose students based on their merit

For loyalty

For cleverness

For bravery

Or for ambition

Many years since have passed

And Hogwarts itself has last

We've been through a war and back

And still in all these virtues we have no lack

We have fought

And now I must sort

Once more Hogwarts will be great

Come on let's not be late!'

'...Melinda Brignon...

Callum Bristow...

...Olivia Brooke.'

I had just realised it was me and hesitantly sat on the stool placing the hat gently on my head.

'Ah a challenge, nice to see. Maybe Ravenclaw no wait... SLYTHERIN!'

The whole room went quiet, not a single person even clapped their hands. My footsteps echoed as I walked that painful stretch to the banquet table. That was when the whispers started:

'Brooke, that's not a magical name.'

'I spoke to her she's muggle born.'

'But muggle-borns hardly ever go to Slytherin, it must have been at least fifty years since that happened.'

I sat down and looked into my empty plate.

'Mudblood.'

I should have known that my parents wouldn't know any better. This was a complete mess.