Chapter 1

It was a couple of days after receiving her acceptance letter that Lavender Rarity and her mother decided to get her school shopping done. Her family lived in the Muggle World, so it took them a while to arrive at the entrance to Diagon Alley.

Why the Muggle World? Simple. Her father, Aaron Rarity, was good with Muggle technology. He knew how to work with computers. This may be frowned upon by fellow wizards, but it's not too bad if you convert his paychecks into Galleons. Her mother, Ginger Rarity, was an aspiring author in both worlds. She had been published in a Wizard Literary Magazine a couple of times, but the Muggles seem to have grown tired of "fairy tales".

Lavender's mother being an author was one of the reasons they had arrived to Diagon Alley when they did. The famous author, Gilderoy Lockhart, was doing a book signing at Flourish and Blott's. Her mother had a couple of his books (being literary hits and all), and would wish for them to be signed. Plus, she'd love an opportunity to get advice in writing from him.

There was plenty of time before the signing, so Lavender was able to get a few items off of her checklist. She had gotten her cauldron and necessary potion items, and was on her way to get her wand. She didn't need to go to the pet store since she was bringing her kitten, Milo, to school with her.

Ollivander's. Lavender heard great things about his shop. Both of her parents got their wands from there. And from what she saw, the wands work completely fine. Of course, they were only used when the family was guaranteed no Muggles could see them. As Lavender entered the store with her mother, a boy around her age just left. He had really dark brown hair, and maroon eyes. He stared at her as he walked by, alone.

"Mummy," Lavender asked when he was far enough away as to not hear her, "where are his parents?"

Her mother sighed, "They might've been victims of You-Know-Who."

Lavender felt a little sorry for him. She had heard a lot of people had perished because of the evil wizard everyone feared, but it was still something she couldn't believe.

Inside of the store, Mr. Ollivander had just climbed down his ladder, smiling at the young witch that had entered. He turned to her mother first. "I remember you, Ginger. Maple Wood with Dragon Heartstring, twelve and a half inches, if I am correct?"

Her mother nodded. "And you remember my husband, Aaron too, right?"

Mr. Ollivander nodded, "Spruce Wood, thirteen inches, and also Dragon Heartstring."

"You remember all of that?" Lavender asked in awe.

Her mother nodded, "Mr. Ollivander is the greatest Wand Maker in England."

"Wow!"

Mr. Ollivander nearly blushed from the compliment. "Well, young one, let us find you a wand that suits you."

He decided to try wands similar to her parents' first. She had tried wands made of Maple and Spruce, but they never seemed right to the Wandmaker. He suggested that, perhaps, it wasn't the wood that ran in the family, but perhaps the core.

He handed her a wand. "Rowan Wood with Dragon Heartstring, and at eleven and a half inches."

Lavender picked the wand up. Light green sparkles in her favorite shade of color began to dance around the tip. She waved it slightly, and the sparkles followed the tip around.

"I believe that this wand has found the right witch," Mr. Ollivander remarked.

After Lavender and her mother left the store, they headed towards the bookstore. "We can fit you for robes after we meet Gilderoy Lockhart."

The store was already crowded. Lavender could barely see what was going on.

"Oh, there he is!" her mother cried. Lavender tried to stand on her toes and crane her neck to have a better look, but it was all in vain.

She may not have seen him, but she could hear him.

"It's Harry Potter," she heard him say at the front of the store.

Now Lavender really wanted to see what was going on. She had heard so much about Harry Potter, but was always told she would meet him at school. A chance to meet him before school, however, was a chance she would never miss out on.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to announce that I will be taking up the role of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

Lavender watched her mother applaud. Somehow, she knew her mother would be writing her everyday to ask for writing tips.

After the crowd cleared up a bit, Lavender saw a boy with black hair and glasses approach a red-haired girl and give her books. "Mum, was that Harry Potter?"

Her mother nodded. "Go ahead and say hi to him, dear. I'll find your books for you."

Lavender began to approach him, when a boy with slicked-back blonde hair appeared.

"Bet you liked that, didn't you, Potter? Famous Harry Potter, can't even go into a book store without people wanting his autograph."

The blonde boy had an extremely fowl tone in his voice Lavender did not approve of one bit.

The red-haired girl stepped in front of the blonde boy. "Leave him alone."

"Oh look, Potter, you got yourself a girlfriend!"

Lavender turned to her mother and said, "actually, he seems rather busy."

She helped her mother pick out the books required for school, when she heard shouting near the front of the store. Lavender and her mother thought it was a good time to leave.

"Last stop is for robes," her mother said. Lavender wanted to sneak a peek at a few dress robes, so she happily went along.

"Ooh, look at these!" Lavender admired a few of the dress robes on display. They were expensive, and may not fit her, but it doesn't cost to admire the beautiful gowns. Her mother knew the young witch enjoyed fashion, and allowed her to window shop while waiting to be fitted.

"Next?"

Lavender was taken to an area of the store that had mirrors. She let the witch that lead her back there to measure her height, her arms, and waist. Another girl was next to her, this one looked similar to her. This girl also had blue eyes and blonde hair. The only difference was this girl's hair was much longer, and messy.

"Hello," Lavender smiled at her. "Are you going to Hogwarts too?"

The girl nodded, a pair of raddish-shaped earrings swinging with each nod she gave. "I'm Luna Lovegood."

"Lavender Rarity. I'd shake your hand, but," Lavender pointed her head towards the sleeve of her robes being hemmed up.

"Is your family here with you?"

"Yes," Lavender said, "my mum's waiting for me. Dad is with my little siblings. They're not old enough for Hogwarts yet."

"Oh," Luna said. "My dad's outside looking for nargles."

Lavender tilted her head a bit. "What's a nargle?"

Before Luna could answer, the witch sewing Lavender's robes handed her a school uniform. "Please try these on."

Lavender had tried on the outfit, and it fit fine. But when she opened the dressing room curtain, Luna Lovegood was gone.

Her mother paid for the new uniform, and they went back to where the car was parked. Lavender wasn't sure how ready she feels about this new school experience, but she knows at least one person she can talk to.

Well, two, if she's lucky enough to befriend Harry Potter.