Spring Equinox...

"Hey, Haley!"

Haley looked up and was surprised to find George came running up. "What's going on?"

"I need a favor."

"Sure."

Over the last few months, George had grown fond of Haley and had begun to see her as a friend. He had stopped calling her by her last name and started to call her by her first, just like Fred had since they arrived back at Hogwarts after Christmas break. They weren't close, but they were comfortable with each other.

"I need some help. Fred and I wanted to prank Charlie, but we're going to need an extra hand setting everything up."

Haley sighed, but she smiled and nodded. "Alright. But you really must stop dragging me into your pranks like this."

George grinned. "But then where would all the fun be? You're pretty good!"

Haley slid her book back into her bag and stood, shouldering it as she gestured for him to lead the way. "Let's go."

Inside one of the spare classrooms, Fred, Percy, Charlie, and a few others were setting things up. Percy was able to borrow the room for the day, thanks to Professor McGonagall.

"Is everything ready?"

Fred looked at Charlie who had just come back into the room. "Ya."

"Good, because they're here."

Fred grinned. "Excellent." He looked at everyone and motioned for them to get down. "Hide!"

Everyone hid and waited, listening quietly as the sound of voices approached. When the door clicked, George stepped inside and led Haley into the room.

When Haley stepped into the room, everyone jumped out and shouted, "Surprise!" She looked around, confused. "What's going on?"

Fred grinned and stepped forward. "It's for your birthday!"

Haley looked at him. "But I haven't told anyone, how did you-"

"We sneaked a peek at your records." George said. "It was no easy task, but worthy of the challenge." He grinned. "We wanted to surprise you."

Haley looked around, awed. "You did this for me?"

Fred nodded. "Do you like it?"

Haley looked at him, tears in her eyes, and nodded. "I love it." She hugged him. "Thank you, Fred. This means so much to me."

Fred chuckled and smiled. "Anything for you, Haley." He stepped back and wiped her tears away, knowing they were happy tears. "Now, let's have some fun!"

As the party was in full swing- as much as a party with less than ten people could be- the door to the classroom opened and Professor McGonagall stepped in.

"Professor!" Haley saw her, and her face fell a bit. "We were just-"

McGonagall smiled. "It's alright, Miss Rosier. Mr. Weasley asked my permission to use this room and I granted it." She handed her a large package. "We received this special delivery."

Haley took the package. "Thank you, Professor."

McGonagall smiled. "Go ahead, my dear. If you mind, I'm rather curious as what manner of gift you received would require such a large box."

Haley set the package on the desk and started opening it. She smiled when she saw what was inside- a staff adorned with runes made of pine like her wand.

"A staff?"

"In Gharina, when we reach our twelfth year we receive a staff. Since we can use our magik without wands because of our training with the creatures we live with, we use staffs to better focus our magik." Haley explained. She looked up at McGonagall. "Professor, would it be alright if I used this staff? I understand it is a requirement for Hogwarts, but my family included a compartment in the staff that will house my wand."

"Your wand and staff will be bonded into a single source of power, until separated?"

Haley nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

"I will speak with the Headmaster, but I do not see any reason you cannot." McGonagall said, smiling. "Our goal here at Hogwarts is to teach our students to use their magik wisely, to train them in each of our courses so they may choose their path informatively. Your staff would simply be an extension of your training, would it not?"

Haley beamed at her and nodded. "Yes, ma'am it would."

"So how will your staff and wand bond?" Fred asked, sitting on the desk.

"Want me to show you?" Haley looked at him, her smile growing.

"Of course!"

Haley set the staff against the desk, taking out her wand. She placed it gently into the slot on the staff, then placed her hands overhead. She closed her eyes, focusing on bonding the staff and the wand together. She felt a link establishing and pushed her magik into the link to strengthen it.

While Haley worked her magik, Fred and the others stared in awe as she began to glow and the aura of her magik seemingly pulsating as the link was established.

Haley opened her eyes and lowered her hands when the link was established and accepted.

"Whoah..."

"Impressive, my dear."

Haley smiled at her. "Thank you, Professor."

McGonagall smiled. "You are indeed a very gifted witch, Miss Rosier. I will speak with the Headmaster and inform you of his decision by the end of the week." McGonagall bowed her head before she excused herself. As she stepped through the doorway, she looked back at Haley. "Happy birthday, Miss Rosier."

Haley smiled and looked down at her staff, then up at her friends.

"Well, you have other gifts to open too!" Fred said, beaming at her. "And cake!"

Haley giggled at that and nodded. "Then let's not let it go to waste!"

As cake was passed around the room, Haley felt more at home than she ever had before. The Weasleys were so kind to her and so accepting. It brought her great ease of mind to know that she had people like them in her life.

Charlie caught the plate of cake that came flying towards them, chuckling as Haley ducked out of the way.

"Nice catch!" George called, only to be met with a face full of the cake he had just thrown at his brother. When he wiped the cake from his eyes and looked at Charlie, he was surprised to find that it was actually Haley who had hit him. "Nice toss!"

Haley laughed and stuck her tongue out, really feeling like she had found where she belonged.

The rest of the school year went by much as one would expect. Pretty much since her birthday, Haley and the other students were busy as could be with studying and homework and preparing for their finals.

After the last day of school, as they boarded the train, Haley stood with the Weasleys as they discussed their plans for the summer. Fred had asked Haley what her plans were and she hadn't really thought about it beyond returning home.

"I'd offer to host you and your family, but my village is very... apprehensive about outsiders."

"It's alright. You can always send pictures instead!"

"We don't have cameras, but I'll see what I can do."

Haley sat with the Weasleys as the train pulled out of the station and made its way back to King's Cross. It was a bit sad to see Hogwarts disappearing behind the hills and trees, but Haley knew she would be coming back and looked forward to it.