It was right before my sixth year in Salem's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry when I was informed of the new student exchange program set to take place the following year. I remember racing home to inform Mama and Daddy all about it.

Mama, of course, was thrilled. If I wasn't going to school in Salem, she could move back home to Georgia, back to all her fellow Southern Belle friends, and get out of Yankee territory. Daddy was less enthusiastic, as he would have to leave his native East Coast and move with Mama. She never meant to fall in love with a 'damn Yank' but fall in love she did, and now they were stuck with each other, especially after I was born.

My name is Fae Cathryn Kabal, first and only child of Mary-Rose Tucker and Jacob Kabal. I inherited Daddy's pretty blue eyes and Mama's accent and long auburn hair.

I'm a half-blood wizard. Daddy was a regular Muggle (on top of being a damn Yank, so it's little wonder his family-in-law dislikes him so). Mama was a witch, which should be obvious considering nearly every single Southern Belle walking this earth is one as well. You don't think they have that sugary charm , those impeccable manners, and those perfectly hosted little cocktail parties naturally, do you?

I grew up in Athens, Georgia until I was eleven, when I was admitted to Salem. I made a few friends and became especially interested in Transfiguration and Potions, but when I heard about the exchange program, I was ecstatic. I couldn't wait to leave America for foreign lands.

Daddy fought Mama and me on it for the longest time. I had decided to transfer to Hogwarts, famous British school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, but Daddy didn't want me there during the rise of the Dark Lord, Voldemort. I guess now I understand why, but then I was young and adventurous, and I wanted to get out and see the world. No Dark Lord of anything was going to get in my way. After half a summer of bickering, Daddy finally gave in, and I sent in my paperwork, had my interview, took the tests. Four anxious weeks later I was accepted, and thus began a whole new chapter in my young life.

It was the mid-seventies then. Shag haircuts, Charlie's Angels, and god-awful clothing were all the rage, but that was only if you lived in the Muggle world. Things in the world of wizardry stay comfortably stable, and it was in this frame of mind that I dressed in my black sorceress' robes, packed my nine inch, willow tree, unicorn hair wand into my pocket, stuffed my trunk with my books and things, waved goodbye to my parents, and grabbed the empty laundry detergent carton that served as a portkey.

I arrived in the train station close to Hogwarts School, amidst a crowd of equally befuddled exchange students. I was amazed at the diversity. I appeared to be the only American (and certainly the only Southern Belle), but I could see a few kids from Japan, Africa, what I assume was a Russian first-year, and a few red-heads who were unmistakably Irish. We were all of varying ages, though most of us were fourth years or older.

I was standing there, likely looking quite stupid, when one of the red-heads bounded up to me and held out her hand. "Hi," she said through a thick Irish accent, "my name is Aideen. Want to be my friend?"

I had to laugh at her. I shook her hand. "Sure. My name's Fae. I'm from the United States."

"Exchange program, then? That's how I got here, too." She looked at the sea of Hogwarts students as they formed something resembling a line and began following a giant of a man towards the castle. "I suppose we're meant to follow them. Better grab your wand and get a move on."

I hastily retrieved my wand from my pocket and followed the other students