Hey guys, sorry haven't updated for a bit. Life gets in the way doesn't it? Anyway please R&R, its nice to know what you guys think has been done well, what needs improving and general interest in where this is going :P Cheers and Enjoy!

X…..X

A couple of days before the 1st of September, McGonagall had returned to escort Persephone to Diagon Alley. Persephone had waited round the corner from the orphanage in a quiet spot, perplexed by the request that she should wait there by Professor McGonagall. As she waited she saw a small grey tabby come out from the alley to her side before coming to a halt in front of her and sitting. Persephone smiled briefly down at the cat, noticing the strange pattern around its eyes before continuing to watch for McGonagall.

'I haven't got any food' Persephone said to the cat when it meowed at her. It gave her a rather stern look before trotting partially back into the alley. When it turned and meowed at her again Persephone frowned. This was a very unusual cat. A thought struck her; cats were associated with witches weren't they? Perhaps by some strange magic this cat was sent by Professor McGonagall. With a quick glance around to check the witch wasn't in fact approaching, Persephone started after the cat as it continued to walk away. Once out of sight of the main street Persephone yelped in surprise as the cat suddenly seemed to explode outwards, quickly turning to a gasp of amazement as the cat took the form of Professor McGonagall.

'You'll catch Doxies in that mouth, Miss Black' stated McGonagall as Persephone gaped. She continued to stare for a couple of seconds as hundreds questions burst into her mind.

'How...?' Was all she managed to get out.

'I am an Animagus, it means I can take the form of an animal. It is an advanced form of Transfiguration.' McGonagall answered 'Come, we must be going' she said, gesturing Persephone to follow.

'What's Transfigtion?' Persephone asked as they walked. Throughout the journey Persephone plagued McGonagall with questions, who answered them simply. By the time they turned the corner towards the Leaky Cauldron, Persephone's eyes were wide with excitement and intrigue. Just as McGonagall pushed the heavy door open she glanced around to see Persephone standing a couple paces back, a look of concern on her face.

'Yes, Miss Black?' McGonagall inquired.

'That's a pub.' Penny stated plainly as if the statement in itself was self explanatory, glancing from the sign to McGonagall. When McGonagall didn't seem to understand she added impatiently 'I'm eleven. I'm not allowed in pubs.'

'Muggles and their strange ways' McGonagall signed 'In the wizarding world we have no such silly restrictions, just because you go into a pub does not mean you will automatically be served. Come.'

Entering the dark pub Persephone took a look around herself, taking in her first glimpse of the wizarding world. Aside from the funny clothing and odd smell it seemed like any grubby pub to the young witch. After a second she looked up at the tall witch, silently asking why they had made a stop in the pub before they had even started on her shopping. McGonagall strode through the pub quickly, half guiding Persephone, half attempting to conceal her from view. Once in the courtyard Persephone took a quick glance around, her eyes shooting to McGonagall's face as she saw nothing but an enclosed space. Why had this strange woman taken her to a small courtyard out the back of a pub? For the first time since she had set eyes on the girl McGonagall saw a hint of fear flicker across her face. McGonagall swiftly pulled out her wand, Persephone letting out a small squeak as she raised it, before the older witch began tapping on the bricks of the wall beside her. As the bricks started to shift Persephone's face changed from fear to amazement. When the archway had formed McGonagall walked through, Persephone trailed behind, her eyes going in all directions as she tried not to miss a single detail.

Over the rest of the morning Penny had followed McGonagall from shop to shop getting all her necessary kit, talking with the woman from the herb shop about the use of different healing herbs for so long McGonagall had to virtually drag her away. Penny had questioned McGonagall about various healing magic, telling the bemused witch that she had wanted to be a 'doctor', a Healer of the Muggle world. McGonagall looked down at the young girl, unsure what to make of this revelation. She surprised herself as she found herself warming to this mysterious girl, finding her way of speaking and taking on information unusually sharp for her age.

Several times older shop assistants eyes had widened at the sight of the young 'Miss Black' before poorly attempting to hide their fear after a stern look from McGonagall and a small shake of the head. Although Persephone had narrowed her eyes at the older witch, she chose not to comment. Squeezing through the busy bookshop they had purchased all her spell books, ignoring the book-signing that was going on. Persephone had caught a glimpse of a rather dishevelled boy with black hair and glasses being grasped tightly by some man with floppy hair and an irritating smile.

'Probably a fag' Penny had thought briefly before making her way out of the bookshop. They had barely made it out the door when there was a commotion back in the shop. Glancing back in Penny saw a very blonde man and ginger man tangled in a fist fight before McGonagall lead her away.

Finally the last shop that needed visiting was Ollivanders' wand makers. Persephone peered at McGonagall's face as she detected a sense of unease from the older woman.

'What's wrong?' Penny asked concerned. McGonagall hesitated before answering.

'Mr Ollivander is an extremely gifted wand maker' she began slowly 'But he is rather eccentric…and not good at holding his tongue when he ought.'

'You mean you can't get him to shut up when you glare at him?' Penny shot back, surprising the older witch. 'I've seen the way people keep looking at me today. They are afraid of me. I sensed it the same as when you came to see me at the orphanage. I'm not stupid.' Persephone finished her last statement with an air of bitterness.

'I know you are not' replied McGonagall, speaking in an uncharacteristic soft tone.

'It's about my mother isn't it?' Persephone said suddenly catching McGonagall off guard.

'What do you mean?' Asked McGonagall intrigued by what the girl may have known of her mother.

'My Nana…she told me a bit about my mother before she …before she died.' Persephone stumbled, her voice thick with emotion, struggling to keep her face impassive. 'She said that my mother left me with her, when I was still a newborn. She said she had a crazed wild look about her. She said she promised to come back for me.' Persephone looked away from the tall witch, trying to conceal that her eyes were brimming over. 'Well it makes sense doesn't it? I mean, if I'm a witch it wouldn't make sense if my mother wasn't' Persephone shrugged looking at the ground.

'You don't need to have magical parents to be a witch' assured McGonagall unsure how to comfort the girl. She was also trying to work the maths of the situation out. Judging by the girl's age that meant Bellatrix must have been pregnant when You-Know-Who had fallen. McGonagall was sure Bellatrix wouldn't have given her only child willingly to a Muggle. McGonagall shook her head.

'You don't believe that do you?' Persephone asked. McGonagall stared at the girl having been lost in her thoughts.

'Believe what Miss Black?' She replied.

'That my parents weren't magical.' Persephone said before adding bitterly 'The way you and other people have been looking at me. Like you've seen a ghost. They all recognise me somehow. Don't lie to me.'

'You are too bright for your own good' McGonagall said shaking her head. 'I'm sorry Penny, but I'm afraid I do not know who your parents are' She continued quickly as Persephone began to interrupt angrily 'I said I do not know. I can only speculate.' She paused, choosing her words carefully. 'I knew a girl once, a long time ago who looked ever so much like yourself. She was an extremely gifted witch, nobody can deny that. But she made all the wrong decisions, got in with the wrong crowd and hurt a great deal of people.' McGonagall watched the young girl's face flicker as different emotions darted across it. As the older witch paused, the young girl looked up at her, her blue eyes guarded.

'Did she die?' Persephone asked, sure of the answer.

'No.' McGonagall answered simply 'She is in Azkaban, the wizard prison. And will remain there until her dying day most likely'

'Can I visit her?' Persephone asked hopefully, looking down fallen as McGonagall shook her head 'Why not?'

'Very few aside from the Minister himself are allowed into the depths of Azkaban.' McGonagall explained, smiling sadly at the tearful young girl. Persephone steeled herself, drew herself up to her short height and pushed into the wand makers shop. McGonagall followed wordlessly, unsure how the young girl was handling her new knowledge. Persephone walked purposely to the desk, ringing the small bell on top of it. Seconds later a thin man appeared, stopping short when his grey eyes locked on the features of the small witch.

'Curious, most curious' the man muttered peering at Persephone's face her blue eyes glaring suspiciously back at him as he edged closer to her. McGonagall cleared her throat, causing the man to look in her direction. He smiled slightly as he approached her 'Ah Professor! Fir with dragon heartstring core I believe? 9 and half inches, stiff with a particular knack for Transfiguration. Matches its owner spectacularly I would say' he finished with a inclination of his head.

'Thank you Mr Ollivander' McGonagall said curtly 'Now if we could progress with Miss Black's requirement.'

'Yes, yes' Ollivander replied, casting his attention back to the short witch. 'Let's see, your mother's wand…12 and three quarter inches, walnut wood, dragon heart string core' Ollivander said…mumbling more to himself than to Persephone.

'What do you know about my mother?' Demanded Persephone angrily, her emotions still running high from the conversation with the Professor. Ollivander let a small smile appear before answering.

'I know you share the same short temper. Ah!' He said, drawing a thin box from a dusty shelf. 'Try…this' he said offering the wand to Penny who took it in her hand. 'No, no' Ollivander said taking it back from her. A few seconds later he was back with another wand. Puzzled Penny took hold of this one, only for the session to be repeated again and again. Finally Ollivander took a thin box from the top shelf behind his desk. 'Hm…I wonder' he said, passing the wand to her gently.

Immediately red sparks showered them from the tip of the wand, making Persephone stumble backwards slightly. Ollivander peered at her, his grey eyes sparkling as if Christmas had come early.

'What is this?' Persephone asked peering down at the wand in her hand.

'This, Miss Black' Ollivander whispered softly 'Is the most powerful wand I have ever made. 11 inches, yew and dragon heart string core. Unyielding, it has been here for nearly as long as I have. Never, has it chosen anyone. Extremely powerful, it would only pair with one...as EQUALLY powerful' Ollivander finished slowly before adding 'That will be seven galleons and eleven sickles please.'

Once Persephone had handed over the money Ollivander stared into her face without modesty. After a minute Persephone frowned irritably at the unusual man. 'Are we finished here?' She asked exasperated, moving to McGonagall's side to leave. The old man beamed excitedly at the young witch.

'On the contrary Miss Black, I feel we have only just begun.'