Stelafina Ashlange stood on Platform 9 at King's Cross Station in London. The beautiful thirteen-year old American witch looked up and down the station with her blue-gray eyes for someone to ask. But there were only No-majs. She gave a quick peek at the next sign. Platform 10. Where was Platform 9 and ¾s? Getting into Ilvermorny hadn't been this hard. Or had it? She didn't know.

She sighed and leaned against her trunk. It gave a small hoot as it was shaken. "Sorry, Athena." whispered Stela to her owl. She glanced at her watch. 10:15. She looked around again. No-majs swarmed over the platform, coming and going. They all seemed to be in in a hurry. They walked quickly, as if they had big problems to attend to. Surely their problems weren't as big as hers. She glanced at her watch. 10:20. The No-majs glanced at her as they sped by, most likely wondering what a young girl was doing, standing on the platform alone.

Stela looked around for a sign of a wizard. But there was no one. She was starting to panic a little bit. What if she couldn't get into Hogwarts? Would they send someone to look for her? What if the way to get on the Platform was ridiculously easy? She would make a fool of herself before the school year had even begun! Worry after worry chased each other through her head. She began to breath faster as she sank to the ground.

She looked forlornly up at the clock on the barrier. 10:30. Oh no! Stela's aunnt had said that the barrier closed at 11:00. She had 20 minutes to find a way to get on the train. She looked at the ground, and counted pebbles, trying to think. Then, Stela heard something that made her heart leap.

"Can't wait to get on the train!"

"Hogwarts, here we come!"

"Come on Peter, hurry up! You walk so slowly."

"Wait for me, Remus! My trunk is too heavy!"

Stela looked up. She saw a group of four boys. Three of them were dark-haired. One, who had been addressed as Peter, was sandy blond. They all had trunks, and things that looked suspiciously like birdcages covered by cloths. They were walking slowly onto Platform 9, chatting happily. Stela stood up. They walked calmly toward the barrier separating Platform 9 and 10, laughing and talking. Stela ran towards them. They Stopped abruptly.

"Hey! Hey!" called Stela, breathless with hope and relief. "Do you go to Hogwarts?"

The boys looked at her, and then at each other. One of them, who had untidy black hair and round glasses said, "Yeah, we go to Hogwarts. Why?"

"Oh, thank Merlin." said Stela. "I'm going too, but I can't figure out how to get on the train."

They looked at each other again. Then at the boy with glasses.

"Are you a Muggle?" he asked. He looked suspicious.

"What?" exclaimed Stela, astonished, "Of course I'm not! I know about Hogwarts, don't I?"

"Gimme some proof," said the boy.

"What?!" cried Stela. One of the boys jumped forward and clapped a hand over her mouth.

"Be quieter!" he hissed, "The Muggles. They'll hear you!" Stela stepped away from him.

"Fine. Fine! Here's your proof," Stela pulled out her wand and showed the boy. "Now just tell me how to get on the train."

The boy looked at it. The boy who had hushed her said

"I think it's real, James."

James nodded. "Yeah."

Stela put her wand away. "Now tell me how to get on the train."

"Follow us," said James. He motioned to follow, and began to walk to the barrier. Stela ran and grabbed her trunk. She pushed it after the boys, wh were moving casually behind James. They stopped in front of the barrier. "Okay." said James, "Now, what you need to do is walk through the barrier with out the Muggles noticing. Like this." He leaned against it, and he slid right through. They each did this in turn, until only Stela was left. Finally, she leaned against the barrier. She tripped out of it, to the other side.

Stela looked around. She was standing on a platform. Witches and wizards were all over the place, saying goodbye to their children. Stela watched them for a bit, until she heard someone calling her.

"Hey, you!" yelled James, "Come on!" The boys climbed up into a scarlet steam engine that was bearing the golden words: The Hogwarts Express. They were walking into a train compartment. Peter beckoned to Stela.

"Sorry I was kinda rude to you. I had to make sure you weren't a Muggle." James said as Stela st down. He held out his hand. "James Potter, pleased to meet you." Stela took his hand and shook it.

"Stela. Stelafina Ashlange. Pleased to meet you too."

The boy who had hushed her said "Sorry. I didn't want you to get caught by Muggles." He too held out his hand. "Sirius Black." He pushed some of his silky black hair out of his eyes and grinned.

Another boy, one with brown hair, also offered his hand to Stela. "Remus Lupin." he introduced himself as.

Peter shook Stela's hand. "Peter Pettigrew." He squeaked. Peter was dirty blond, had small, watery blue eyes, and a round face and body, and pink skin. James had fair skin, hazel eyes, shockingly untidy black hair, and round glasses. Sirius also was fair skinned, but his eyes were darker, his hair silky. It fell in his eyes, like a stallion's forelock. It gave him a casual elegance. James was good-looking, but nothing compared to Sirius. Remus also had nice looks, with brown hair, and warm gold-brown eyes.

Sirius left the compartment briefly, and he returned' with armfuls of candy. He doled it out between the five of them.

"You have a weird accent," remarked Sirius, sticking a Licorice Wand into his mouth.

"I do?" asked Stela confused. "Ohh, I'm an American."

"Really?" asked Remus, interestedly, "How old are you?"

"Thirteen" replied Stela, pulling her gold-auburn hair up in a ponytail. "This is my first year at Hogwarts."

James's brows furrowed. "But, that doesn't make sense. You start Hogwarts when you're eleven. If you're thirteen now, you would be in your third year."

"Well," said Stela, "I'm from America, so of course I wen ot Ilvermorny "

"Ilvermorny?" inquired Peter.

"The American Hogwarts. Shush, Peter." said Sirius.

"but," continued Stela, "My parent lost their memory through magical means, and I was sent to live with my aunt, who lives here. She was appalled when my parents sent me to Ilvermorny, and of course, as soon as I was in her hands, I was sent straight to Hogwarts. But, she neglected to give me instructions on how to get on the train, which is why we all are sitting in the same compartment."

They spent the most of the day talking about the two magical schools, and pointing out the differences, the similarities.

Stela began to learn about her new friends. James was a Quidditch player, a really good one. He was popular, and a bit of a show-off.

Sirius was much like James. He loved broomsticks, practical jokes, thrills, and more jokes.

Remus was much quieter; he liked to read, and was really smart. But he also played along with James and Sirius.

Peter, was there on James account. He worshiped him, and was always following James around. Peter was also a bit like a group pet.

"Er, do they allow things like Animagi and werewolves?" asked Remus uncertainly.

"No," answered Stela, "No one is allowed to be and Animagus, and werewolves are taken out of the country, of brought to a magical reserve. Why?"

Remus turned a bit pink, then his eyes found the floor. "No reason, just wondering." he mumbled. He looked up at James. James looked stern.

Sirius pulled something out of his pocket. He wiggled it at Stela. "Dungbomb." he said, "Filch will confiscate it when we get to school. I gotta use it now. Care to come with me." Stela nodded.

"Sure," she said. Sirius stood up, slid the door open, and left the compartment. Stela followed.

Sirius stole up the aisle, peeking into compartments. After ten minutes, he found what he was looking for. "Look," he said. Stela looked through the crack. A group of boys, all cruel-looking, the kind that would pour salt on a snail and laugh, were sitting in the compartment.

"Stand back," said Sirius, and he threw the Dungbomb as hard as he could at the wall. IT exploded, and the stench of poop filled the air. The boys all stood up, trampling each other in a frenzy to get out.

"Run!" hissed Sirius, and her grabbed Stela's arm and ran back to the compartment. He pushed her in, and peeked out the door. "They're coming! Act innocent!" said Sirius. He pulled the Daily Prophet out of his bag, and hid his grinning face behind it.

The door banged open, and the boys walked in. The glowered at James and Remus. They returned the look. One of them, the angriest, tore the Prophet out of Sirius's hands and tore it to shreds, dropping it on the floor. Stela could see a ring glittering on his fat hand.

"Which one of you done it?" he croaked. Peter shrunk slightly.

"We don't know what you're talking about." said Sirius. The smile was gone, but his eyes were dancing. He crossed his arms and leaned back.

"Yes, you do." he croaked back. "You set off the Dungbomb, Black." He leaned over Sirius, leering.

"I did no such thing." lied Sirius defiantly.

"You did. We saw you running."

"It could have been anybody, Faunz" said Sirius coolly.

"It was you, Black, don't deny it!" spat the boy. Stela noticed how much taller and stronger the boy was. Stela hoped he wouldn't hit Sirius.

"It wasn't me," said Sirius, a smug smirk on his face.

"Yes, it was. You gonna pay, Black!"

"Do you have proof, Faunz?" asked Sirius.

Faunz turned blotchy red. "I know it was you who done it! You're gonna get it!" The ugly boy grabbed Sirius by the collar, and slammed him into the wall. Stela grabbed Sirius and pulled him away. Faunz looked astonished. He hadn't noticed Stela. He straightened.

"What's a girl like you doing with the likes of scum like them?" he asked. Stela remained still and silent. "They're a bit low for a girl like you. You can come with us for some real Wizarding company." He held out his hand. Stela looked at it with disgust.

"You leave her alone, Faunz!" said Remus forcefully. He was standing up.

"I'm fine where I am. I can see who is too low for me, thanks." said Stela disdainfully, scooting away. Faunz turned red again.

He put his face very close to hers. She could smell his sour breath. "You better watch who you go around making enemies with. 'Cause you might regret it sometime."

"Get outta here, Faunz!" said James, standing next to Remus.

"You're gonna get in some serious trouble someday, girl!" he said venomously.

"Stop threatening her!" yelled Remus. His hand flew to his wand. Faunz just laughed. Then he turned and spat in Stela's face. Faunz then grabbed Sirius again, and punched him in the face. Stela yelped.

"GET OUT!" roared James. He pointed his wand at Faunz's face. The first syllables of a jinx forming on his lips. Faunz and his friends turned to leave, but Remus was faster.

"Petrificus Totalus!" he yelled, and Faunz's arms were clamped to the side of his body, petrified. His friend ran. James heaved Faunz out into the corridor. Once James was back in, Remus pointed his wand at the door and locked it. Then he fished a handkerchief out of of his pocket and handed it to Stela. She wiped her face, then went over Sirius. He was holding his face. Stela pulled his hands away gently. An ugly, purple, puffy bruise was rising, disfiguring his handsome face. A cut, which was from Faunz's ring, was running down the middle of the bruise, dripping blood. James winced, and sucked in air quickly, making a hissing noise.

Stela pulled out her wand, and then tapped Sirius's face. "Episkey" she muttered. The skin around the cut stretched. Soon, there was no trace of the cut. The bruise stayed though.

Stela rummaged around in her trunk. She pulled out a notebook, and Transfigured it into an ice pack. She pressed it into Sirius's hand. "Hold this to your face. It will stop the swelling." Sirius did as he was told.

"Wow." he said, "they must teach you really well at your school, because you worked really fast. Thank you."

"You're welcome, Sirius" said Stela. "At Ilvermorny, they teach magic, but also discourage it. They're really afraid of being caught by No-majs."

"No-majs?" asked Remus.

"Oh, sorry. A No-maj is what we Americans call what you British would call a 'Muggle' It stands for No-magic" said Stela.

"Oh. Okay." he said.

"Like, what do they teach you?" asked Sirius.

"Oh, stuff like Charms, Care for Magical Creatures, Transfiguration, Muggle Studies, Arithmancy, Astronomy, Spells, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Muggle Handling, Disguise, Muggle Trades, Literature, and Science. Those are the required classes. I am, I mean 'I was' taking a few more."

James, Sirius, Remus and Peter all looked at each other. "No way," said James.

"Yes way. You had to." said Stela.

"But, no one can take that many classes in one day. If you didn't die of exhaustion, your brain would explode."

"Well, if you failed the end-of-year exam, you get sent homework every day. Ruins your entire summer."

"Wow" said James, "Not even Lupin here can study that hard. And he's doing our homework for us." He punched Remus's shoulder affectionately. Remus rubbed where he had been punched, and smiled.

James happened to glance out the window, and he yelped. "Holy hippogryphs! We're almost at Hogwarts! Better get dressed." They all opened their trunks, and pulled out their robes. They slid them on over their jeans and t-shirts.

Stela opened her trunk and looked inside. She pulled out her robes. Black. She looked down into her trunk. Her silver robes, silky, lay there. Stela longed to pull them on, and walk into Ilvermorny, to be greeted by her friends, the paintings, and the teachers.

Stop, she thought, you're being stupid. You're not going back. She slid on her robes. Her Ilvermorny robes would have to stay there.

Gradually, Stela felt the train slow. She stood, and grabbed her trunk.

"No, leave it here" said Remus, "They'll bring it up to the castle."

"Castle?" asked Stela.

"Hogwarts is castle. A really big one."

"But, what do you do about Muggles?"

Remus shrugged. "I don't know. I never asked."

They proceeded to walk down the train aisle, owls in hand, to the exit. A line of students were already congregated. They trickled out of the train, some not even noticing their surroundings, some goggling at everything in sight. The young first years had all grouped around a giant hairy man was bellowing "Firs' years! Firs' years over 'ere!"

The station had students milling over it, the youngest one around the giant man. The older ones walked towards some horseless carriages.

"Wait!" called Stela. She stopped. So did the boys.

"What is it?" asked Peter with his high-pitched voice. They all turned to look at her.

"Um, do I go with you guys, or with the first years? Asked Stela.

"Oh," said Sirius. He thought about it far a bit, then said "I think you should come with us."

"Okay," said Stela. She followed them into the carriages.

Within minutes, the carriages were off. They bumped along the road, going through Hogsmead. Stela looked out the window into the sleeping town. All these sights were strange to her, and as she rushed by, she stared at them like a first year.

Soon, the castle was in view. She looked up at the huge castle and gasped. It's gray walls stretched for a distance, and she saw the glowing lights of windows in the highest tower reflected on the vast, black lake that resided on the grounds. Beyond the castle, was a forest, large, dark, and slightly forbidding. And even farther than the forest lay mountains, tall jagged points of rock rising into the sky.

Ilvermorny hadn't been this beautiful. In fact, Ilvermorny was only beautiful on the inside, full of treasure and glimmering objects. The buildings had been pale gray, with none of the splendor and beauty that Hogwarts had. It didn't have the towers and spires that rose majestically into the sky.

Stela saw the moon behind the castle towers, a half moon, like a sliver of silver in the dark, starry sky. It looked like it had been suspended in the air by magic. Of course Stela knew that it wasn't magic and just gravitational pull, but she fancied thinking of it that way. Stela loved the moon and the stars. They had always fascinated her. She remembered sneaking onto the Ilvermorny roofs to watch them, and draw them.

Stela looked at Remus, who was sitting next to her. He seemed happy to be back at Hogwarts, and he looked around with interest, to see if anything had changed whiles he had been away. But when his eyes fell on the moon, an odd expression flickered over his face. Bayful and fearful expression. But it was gone as soon as it had come. Stela considered asking, but decided against it.

When the carriages began to slow, they all grabbed their owls and jumped out. They walked up a cobbled path, through a courtyard, and to a set of huge doors.

The doors swung open on their own accord. The students walked in to the Entrance Hall.

It was huge, and lined with paintings. The inhabitants of the frames were waving and calling "Welcome back!" and "Hello, James."

In the Entrance Hall, there was a thin, hunched, cruel-looking old man. He stood there, watching like a vulture. There was a cat slinking around his ankles. It was scruffy and scrawny, with glowing green eyes. It hissed as James and his friends walked by. The man was glaring at Sirius and James. He leaned over and hissed in James's ear. "I'm watching you, Potter."

"I know you are," said James. And he walked on, to another pair of doors, and he threw them open.