A small girl and a German Sheppard sat on the front steps of their home just outside of Hogsmeade. It wasn't even dawn yet but she sat with the dog, waiting for Baxter, the family owl, to bring the mail. Today, there would hopefully be a special letter for her; a letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She had been waiting for one her whole life and today was the day they sent them out. Her brothers had been anticipating theirs so they could floo over to Diagon Alley and buy their new books. One of her brothers stood by the kitchen window, watching his beloved little sister watch the night sky. She would most definitely receive her letter. She was a metamorphmagus, just like their father had been. When dawn came around, the children's mother rose and was surprised to see two of her children already awake.

"Cole, go wake your brother. It's his turn to help with breakfast," she sighed. She knew that Kade would never be up before the sun. Cole nodded and hurried upstairs. Both boys came hurtling down the stairs and breakfast was made cheerfully.

"Serafina, dear, come inside. Breakfast is ready, Baxter will be here soon," Mother called. Serafina did not move. She was watching the clouds, now that the sun had risen. Someone had gotten up early and was flying a kite. It had been like this the day another letter came, bearing bad news. That was the day they all learned that their father had died, killed by a Death Eater. Of course, she knew that the Death Eaters were gone now, but, she couldn't help but wonder. Maybe she was just a squib with weird genes. Her daddy had always told her she was one in a million. Finally, she saw the familiar lopsided flight pattern of Baxter. He had injured himself years ago and never really gotten over it.

"Mummy, Mummy! He's here! He's here!" Serafina shouted. She waited patiently as her mother went through the mail, slowly and tauntingly. Finally, she came upon a stack of familiar envelopes. There were three this year, instead of two. Serafina Louisa Connolly had been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!


Time skip

As Serafina stood just outside of Mr. Olivander's shop, she shook slightly. She thought she felt her daddy's hand rest on her shoulder, but it was just her imagination. Daddy's dead, he has been for three years, she reminded herself. She took a deep breath and entered the shop. Serafina hoped she would get a wand like her father had, a 10" Oak Pheonix tail feather, but she doubted she would get anywhere close to that. There was a boy in the shop with bleach blonde hair, like her daddy had when he would read to her at night. He was with a tall, skinny woman with half brown hair and half flaxen hair. Serafina unconsciously mirrored the color for a second, then set it back to a flaming burgundy. The boy had turned just in time to see the flicker. He looked at her oddly so she set her hair to match her mother's. The boy still looked at her but his mother turned and shot an uneasy look at Serafina and Mrs. Connolly. The strange woman grabbed her son's hand and quickly pulled him out of the wand shop.

"Here to find a wand for the little lady?" asked a spindly old man from behind the long desk.

"Yes, Mr. Olivander, I am Maria Wesley Connolly. Do you remember me?" Mrs. Connolly asked in a very sweet voice.

"Of course I do. You came in just as soon as you turned eleven then went of to get the trace put on you. You have grown into a beautiful woman. This must be your daughter. What's the little beauty's name?" Mr. Olivander had a voice that was probably once very pleasant but had been roughened over the years.

"I'm Serafina," she said timidly.

"I see, and you must be a metamorphmagus, form the reaction Narcissa Malfoy had. I don't usually pick sides but that woman can be downright nasty sometimes," Olivander rambled.

"Yes-, but-" Serafina started.

"Oh yes, you are here for your wand. Hm, we'll start out with Oak, your father had an oak wand, if I'm not mistaken. He was Thomas Connolly, right?"

"Yes, but-"

"He died. I know, very sad, very sad for a girl to loose her father at such a young age. Oak and Pheonix feather first, then how about Hippogriff talon, Veela hair, Dragon heartstring, then Unicorn tail hair? Yes, that ought to do it, but then again, what about Ebony or Redwood? After the Oak, after the Oak..." He muttered to himself.

"Sir, what if none of them choose me?" Serafina asked.

"Then you get to roam the back and search for it, but I can usually get them within the first few tries."

"Okay."

As she tried the first three, they all leapt out of her hand and back into their box. When she came to the fourth, it glowed faintly red then shot out a stream of fire. Olivander tutted and handed her a 9" Oak Unicorn hair core wand. It was beautifully detailed, with little Unicorns running around the grip area and a singular Unicorn stallion at the tip of the wand. In between the Unicorns was a faint vine pattern that was barely noticeable. A soft breeze swirled throughout the room, carrying the whinny of a Unicorn and the smell of summer grass.

"There you are. You now have a wand of your own. Have a wonderful time at Hogwarts and come see me for any repairs," Olivander said softly. Serafina nodded and hurried out with her mother.

"Okay now, it's time for your robes. Go in this shop and they will start your fitting immediately, we have reservations," her mother told Serafina. Serafina nodded and was fitted with her robes within fifteen minutes. When she walked back ont the street, her mother was there, holding a cat carrier. The inhabitant of the carrier was a black persian cat with sharp green eyes and a collar that matched Serafina's favorite hair color, bright burgundy.

"Mommy, is that my school pet?" Serafina asked hopefully. Both of her brothers had pets. Cole had a falcon and Kade had a ferret. Mommy had sent a letter in to Professor Dumbledore before they went to school.

"Yes, but you have to brush her every night, or else her coat will matt," Mommy said, smiling. Serafina nodded and they went in search of the twins.


Time Skip (Train Day)

Hustling students, teachers yelling, and trunks flying every which way. The business of Hogwarts students coming to school on the first day of term engulfed Serafina. Cole pointed her to Hagrid and then left to get a ride to the castle. She quickly ran up to the half giant and followed him to some boats. When they finally arrived at the castle, she found herself next to the pale haired boy.

"Hello, we met in the wand shop, remember?" Serafina said, her hair flickering between the three she had used on that day.

"Oh, yes, I remember you. What family are you from?" the boy asked.

I am Serafina Connolly. Who are you?"

"Draco Malfoy, I am going to be in Slytherin," he boasted.

"Really? How do you know before the sorting ceremony? Were your parents both Slytherins? My daddy was a Griffyndor but mommy is a Hufflepuff," Serafina rambled.

"Yes, I just do, and yes. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have other people to speak with," he said in a snippy way. Serafina sighed and settled into the crowd to await the sorting ceremony.