Melissa Meara was just sitting down to lunch in her office, when a particularly large black crow flew into the room, carrying a letter. The crow had a band around it's foot that said it was from the ministry of magic. Madame Meara took the letter from the bird's foot and then held out her goblet for it to drink from. The crow took one look at the goblet of water and stuck it's beak in the air. It turned to face the window and took off again.
'Obviously thinks it's too good for water, damn ministry birds…' Madame Meara thought as she opened the envelope with her new letter opener, engraved with the Portland Academy crest. The crest had a wand on it, emitting 3 stars, and the Portland Academy initials (PA). It was purple and black (the school colors) and it was rimmed with silver.
Madame Meara took the letter out of it's envelope and sat back in her chair to read it. It was quite long.
The letter read:
Dear Melissa,
Hello! How are you? I heard that Robert had a hard time convincing you last week. I can assure you that the students and yourself will be perfectly safe!
Now, on to business; I'm sure you were informed that you would be receiving a packet with detailed instructions. It's coming tomorrow, the dignitaries have just finished writing it now. I've been told to give you a summery though, so you can get on to choosing students quickly.
As you know, the act requires all magical schools to send five students and one teacher to another school. The schools were all chosen at random. Pacific Academy for Young Witches and Wizards has been chosen to go to Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, located in Europe.
You are to choose the students any way you see fit. I suggest, however, that you make sure that the students know all elementary defense skills. Hogwarts isn't known to be the safest place in the world, as you know!
We will be providing transportation to England for you. You will travel by muggle airplane, as this is the best way to transport 6 people across the ocean! I believe there will be one 'layover', the muggles think that means you arrive in one place, and then a few hours later you depart from it. Very odd, why not go all the way through? Anyway, that's how you are to arrive in England. Once there you will travel to Diagon Alley to pick up all the specialty supplies for Hogwarts.
After picking up school supplies you will take the students to Hogwarts via the Hogwarts Express. The train departs from King's Cross Station on the 1st of September.
The students will be required to wear the Hogwarts uniform; a white collard shirt, a tie, a black skirt or black slacks, and knee socks or tights for the young ladies. They will need to purchase plain black robes while in London, and this year they will be required to have dress robes.
The students will be sorted into a house upon arrival. The four Hogwarts houses are: Gryfindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. They will stay with the other students in the dorms. They will attend the regular Hogwarts classes and they will meet with you once a week, so you can make sure they're happy.
I think that's about it! Take note that you will need to inform the ministry of your choices before you tell the students!
Sincerely,
Jeffery Howard, Minister of Magic
On the last day of classes there was a big dinner held at the school and all parents and students were invited to attend. Madame Meara stood at the front of the room after everyone had finished eating, and called for attention.
"Students and guests may I have your attention please… Thank you. As many of you know, There has been an act passed by international magical dignitaries and starting next year, all magic schools will exchange 5 students and 1 teacher to another school. Our school will be sending students to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I have selected the students myself, and I feel confident that you will be able to handle it."
At this, whispers broke out over the room as people wondered who the students would be.
"I found that many of the students would be good candidates to go, so I chose from them, the top students of the year. The students who will travel to Hogwarts will be…"
A hush broke out, each person staring fixedly at Madame Meara.
"Camden Tonnochy," Camden's parents hugged him while Madame Meara smiled down at him.
"Paul and Oriana Watson," Their parents stared proudly at them.
"Brittney Howard," Brittney's father beamed down at her and gave her a quick squeeze.
"And last, but not least… Aurora Hansen." Madame Meara gave the last words of the year and dismissed all the students and their parents. Aurora's aunt and uncle gave her hearty congratulations and moved to speak with the headmistress, leaving Aurora to speak with Camden and Brittney.
Brittney was overflowing with excitement, saying that she couldn't believe that they were all going to Europe together. Camden seemed calm about it, only hoping that they had decent quidditch teams. As Aurora said good-bye and started to head home with her aunt and uncle, she started to think about how she felt about leaving for another country.
When they got to their small, two-story house, Aurora went up to her room to think about the changes that were about to happen. It wasn't like she hadn't ever gone through change.
She moved to her dresser and picked up the worn photo album sitting in a corner. As she sat on the end of her bed and began looking through it, the memories of her parents flooded back.
She paused at a picture of them at their house, waving at the camera with big grins on their faces. It was taken right before her parents had been killed. They were Aurors and they had been sent to check out an old abandoned mansion. Aurora wasn't ever told what, but something inside had been deadly. They were killed instantly.
Aurora had been sent to live with her Aunt Judy and Uncle Lucas when she was 10 years old. They had always been close to her, so it wasn't like she was moving in with strangers. They weren't extremely well off, but they had tried to provide her with anything she wanted.
Aunt Judy was a muggle, so Aurora grew up shopping in muggle malls, listening to muggle music, watching television, and reading muggle books. Her uncle Lucas charmed most of the stuff in the house to work with magic, so they rarely needed to buy batteries or gas for the car.
Part of Aurora had died that night with her parents and she was used to the strange fits of crying that would randomly overcome her. She still hadn't allowed herself to let go.
A/N: Well… I tried to make it longer. I guess I did a little better! I think it felt a little forced at the end though. Anyway, review please! And thanks to those great people that reviewed already, you make me happy.
