A/N:Ok, so I thought it would be a good idea to post more than just that little snippet of an opening chapter, or people won't want to read this! I have the first 11 chapters completed (as well as the last few...haha!) so until I run out of completed work my updats will be pretty regular (weekly...hopefully the same day of every week) This chapter here is the origional first chapter for this story before I expanded it to the proportions I expanded it to. Adrianne is my character, I know all the details of her (well because I created her) and I will use her as a major focus of this story. Don't worry thought, the next chapter will show some familiar names!

A Barefoot Ballet

You're an contrast to what I've become
no one has touched me like you
You in my arms, breathless and sure
A barefoot ballet on a bare hardwood floor
So much in sync it seems like we barely move
-"Barefoot Ballet" Wally Kurth and Adrianne Leon

Adrianne Laverte was only 8 months old when her parents Edmund and Elizabeth died in a horrible car wreck in London. She was left in the care of her only living relative, an old war veteran who lived in a small chateau in northern France, her paternal Grandfather. Mr. Laverte moved into his son and daughter-in-law's house just outside of London, England 3 days after their death to care for young Adrianne. It had been years since Mr. Laverte had been around children, and even then his wife had been the primary caregiver. Suddenly he found himself quite alone with his infant Granddaughter and no idea how to care for her. In the days following the funeral services for Edmund and Elizabeth, friends and co-workers of the deceased came to help the ageing man in getting adjusted to life with a young child.

As the infant grew into a toddler, and then into a young girl, Mr. Laverte grew more comfortable with his Granddaughter. He took her to his chateau often and taught her French as well as English. He answered every question she asked as honestly as he could. When young Adrianne would come into his room at night, shaking in fright from a nightmare she'd awoken from, Mr. Laverte would console the child and tell her stories of princesses and royal balls. By the age of 7 Adrianne had earned the nickname Princesse Adrianne from her adoring grandfather. Mr. Laverte and Princesse Adrianne would dance in the ballroom of the chateau, which had affectionately been named by Princesse Adrianne "Le Petit Chateau." The odd pair would twirl and spin around the grand ballroom, humming the tune of a waltz or sweet melody of old. Mr. Laverte affectionately named their dances "the barefoot ballet" because they were nearly always bare foot.

On Princesse Adrianne's 11th birthday, celebrated at Le Petit Chateau as always, a letter was delivered by owl. Mr. Laverte knew what the letter was concerning, and had been dreading the day for 10 years. His son had married a witch, something he believed to be a joke until Elizabeth turned a glass into a bouquet of roses in front of his eyes. When the couple found out they were pregnant, Mr. Laverte knew their child would be magical too. He didn't mind, knowing that it was a gift and not a curse, but he was wary as most are of the unknown. And then came the car crash, killing Edmund and Elizabeth, and leaving their 8 month old daughter, an 8 month old witch in the hands of her aging Muggle Grandfather. He would be responsible for explaining to her that she was a witch and sending her off to school when she was 11.

Princesse Adrianne excitedly ripped open the letter. Her mouth dropped open as she read the words written. Mr. Laverte waited patiently for the moment he would have to explain the letter and the girl's magical background, a story he didn't quite understand himself.

"Grand-père, Grand-père! Listen to this:

Dear Miss Laverte,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress"

The excitement shown in Princesse Adrianne's face. "Is it true Grand-père? Am I really a witch?"

"Oui Princesse Adrianne, it is true." Mr. Laverte said solemnly. "Your mother was a witch, and she passed her magic onto you."

"And I get to go to this school, this Hogwarts?"

"Oui," Mr. Laverte said. He was torn between excitement for his Granddaughter and the sadness of losing the little girl who lit up his dark life. He explained to the young girl about her parents, and about finding out the girl his son wanted to marry was a witch. Princesse Adrianne hung on to his every word, fascinated about such an in-depth story about her parents.

"But, Grand-père, what will you do while I am at school?"

"I will stay here, at Le Petit Chateau and await your return for the holidays."

Princesse Adrianne looked saddened by this announcement, but tried to cheer her grandfather up. She took him in her arms and led him to the grand ballroom. She put a record into the old record player and played a sweet tune. Mr. Laverte and Princesse Adrianne began their ritual of twists and twirls around the room, only stopping when they got dizzy. After the dizziness set in, Grandfather and Granddaughter would lay in the center of the room and stare at the elegantly painted ceiling.

"What shall we do now Princesse Adrianne?" Mr. Laverte asked his granddaughter.

"Presents!" Princesse Adrianne cried out in excitement.

"Very well then, to the parlor for presents." Mr. Laverte always bought his Granddaughter the finest presents money could buy. She had no one to spoil her but him, and he wanted her to feel like a princess. For her 11th birthday, Princesse Adrianne got several new outfits, including a satin nightdress and matching satin slippers. Mr. Laverte also gave her a small ring with a tiny princess cut diamond which she could wear if she promised to take extra care of it. Princesse Adrianne hugged her Grandfather after opening all of his gifts and thanked him.

The pair shared a small chocolate cake in the kitchen before returning to the ballroom. As was tradition on Princesse Adrianne's birthday, they would sit in the ballroom and tell stories of princesses past and wait for their cake to settle before resuming the barefoot ballet. The music would play into the night, and Grandfather and Granddaughter would sleep in the grand ballroom with the moonlight pouring in from the giant windows.

It was raining softly the next morning when Mr. Laverte and Princesse Adrianne woke up in the grand ballroom. They packed up Princesse Adrianne's presents and a few of their belongings that would be returning to London with them. Mr. Laverte's private jet is parked at a hangar just 5 minutes away from le Petit Chateau, and was ready and waiting for them when they arrived by taxi. Princesse Adrianne always hated leaving le Petit Chateau, although she did love the house in London. The flight is under an hour and Princesse Adrianne watches the scenery below her every time. The scenery rarely changes, but Princesse Adrianne fantasizes about what is going on below her.

Mr. Laverte's private jet also has a hangar in a small privately owned airport not far from the house outside of London. Again, the pair travels via taxi to their home. The house is nothing spectacular compared to le Petit Chateau, but is a lovely home.

Princesse Adrianne ran straight upstairs to her bedroom, where she set her presents down on the hard wood floor. At the center of the large room stood a tall canopied queen sized bed. Princesse Adrianne was very small and hardly needed such a big bed, but she absolutely loved feeling like a princess in her bed. On either side of the large bed were tall windows that were flanked by long silk curtains to match the hangings on the bed. On the far wall was a small sofa that was piled high with satin pillows and stuffed animals. On the near was a large wardrobe that took up much of the wall space, and was made of the same wood as the flooring. Pictures of artwork, Princess Adrianne, her grandfather, and her parents were hung on the open wall space in the room. Princesse Adrianne loved her room. She loved everything from the hard wood floors, to her big bed, to the pictures on her wall, to the fabulous view of a small pond from her windows. Her bedroom was by far her favorite room in this house.

She sat on her bed and looked through the boxes that held her birthday presents. She had no living relatives except for her grandfather, but some of her parent's friends, and neighbors also sent her small birthday gifts. There was one, tucked away in a box that held Princesse Adrianne's satin slippers was a gift she had not noticed before. It was wrapped in shinny silver paper, tied in a bow of pink silk ribbon. She hesitated before opening it quickly. There was a card at the top of the box once she opened it. She read through the letter, hoping it would explain why she hadn't noticed it before. She assumed it was from her grandfather, as it was tucked in one of his other gifts.

Dear Adrianne,

Happy 11th Birthday! I am not sure how much your grandfather has told you, but I am sure at this point you have received your Hogwarts acceptance letter. I was a dear friend of your mother's during her days at Hogwarts. I remember when she met your father. She told me, that first night that she was willing to give up her world, our world for him.

I supported my friend whole-heartedly, and continued to be friends with her until her death. I was maid of honor at your parents wedding, and I was asked to be your Godmother when you were born. If anything were to happen to your parents, it became my responsibility to introduce you to the Wizarding world once you turned 11.

That day has come. First, I would like to say, welcome back. Your mother would be so proud of you, simply for making it this far. I have stayed in touch with your Grandfather, to fulfill my promise to your mother when I agreed to be your Godmother. We both decided it would be better for you to grow up with him, away from the Wizarding world and away from me. He has sent me pictures of you often, and I am proud to say that you look just as beautiful as your mother did at your age.

I would like to meet with you in person soon. I am sure you have no idea how to get all you Hogwarts supplies, and I will be able to help you out with that. Your mother has a small fortune in Wizard money in our bank, Gringotts, which will pay for your books, robes, wand and other supplies for all seven years you will be studying at Hogwarts.

I am anxious to meet with you, and to take you shopping for your school supplies. For now, Happy Birthday and enjoy your gift.

Sincerely,
Matilda Burr

Princesse Adrianne read and reread the letter before turning back to the small box in her hand. The gift was wrapped in a sheet of white tissue paper, but a small glint of silver poked out from the edge. Princesse Adrianne tore the tissue paper away and saw that it was a shiny silver locket. On the front was the engraving of a small rose and the initials E.H. which Princesse Adrianne guess stood for her mother's name, Elizabeth Halliwell. She opened the locket to see a picture of her mother, small, but moving like a tiny movie. Princesse Adrianne nearly dropped the locket in shock. She ran downstairs to show her grandfather, bringing the letter along with her.

"Grand-père! Grand-père!" She yelled, running through the house trying to find him. She finally located him in his study. "Grand-père, I found this present among my others and opened it. Look, there was a note with it." Princesse Adrianne said excitedly. Her grandfather took the letter and read it.

"Yes, I was expecting this. Matilda and I have discussed this several times, although this is all happening much sooner than I had expected." The man before Princesse Adrianne seemed to have aged half a century in the past few minutes. Mr. Laverte never looked his age, still holding a boyish air about him, especially in the presence of his beloved granddaughter. But at the thought of Princesse Adrianne growing up and leaving him, Mr. Laverte lost all of his youthfulness, and became the elderly man of 76 he should have been.

"Grand-père? Is something wrong?" Princesse Adrianne asked, sensing the change in her grandfather.

"No, my princesse, I just now realized that you are getting older, as am I." Mr. Laverte found his way into a large armchair and sat down. Princesse Adrianne walked over to him and knelt down in front of him.

"Grand-père, of course I am getting older! That is what little girls do, they grow up."

"I know, my princesse, I know."

Mr. Laverte contacted Miss Burr who came four days later to take Princesse Adrianne shopping for her school supplies. Miss Burr was a middle aged woman with flaming red hair and chocolate brown eyes. She was dressed casually in jeans and a nice shirt. Princesse Adrianne was fascinated by this strange new woman who was close friends with her deceased mother. The girls set of for London together, waving goodbye to Mr. Laverte.

Once they were in London, Miss Burr parked the car and they walked a short distance to a dingy bar that was barely noticeable called The Leaky Cauldron. Princesse Adrianne tried to take in the entire room at once, but was overwhelmed by the new and interesting sites in front of her. Miss Burr led her out back to a small alleyway where she pulled out a narrow piece of wood and tapped a brick on the wall. Princesse Adrianne thought she was mad, and was taken aback by a large archway that opened in the once solid brick wall. Through the archway they followed a winding cobble street. "Welcome to Diagon Alley, Adrianne." Miss Burr said as she walked through the archway. Princesse Adrianne tried to look in every direction at once. There were shops with stacks of cauldrons outside of them, an apothecary, a pet store which house owls, cats and other strange animals, a sports store unlike any Princesse Adrianne had ever seen before, and a giant bookstore. Miss Burr led Princesse Adrianne through the street to a large marble colored building.

"Gringotts, a Wizarding bank. That's where your mother's money is stored. We'll fill up a bag for you and then do some shopping." Miss Burr explained as they entered the bank. Princesse Adrianne was amazed by the creatures that ran the bank. She wasn't sure what they were, only that they weren't human. She didn't feel it was polite to point and ask Miss Burr what they were so instead decided to make sure she found it out somewhere else.

Miss Burr led her over to the counter where one of the strange creatures took their information and directed them to a cart that would take them to their vault. Princesse Adrianne was hesitant to get into the cart but Miss Burr insisted it was alright. They twisted through a maze of passageways, turning left, and right, and dipping down at increasing speeds. Finally the cart slowed to a stop and they got out. The creature took out a small key and unlocked the door revealing a vault filled with large shiny piles of coins. Princesse Adrianne always knew her family was wealthy, but never in her life had she seen so much money. Miss Burr grabbed a large handful of coins and led Princesse Adrianne back to the cart. Once the cart got moving again, Miss Burr took out three different coins and showed them to Princesse Adrianne.

"This is Wizarding money Adrianne. The gold one is called a Galleon, the silver ones are Sickles, and the little bronze ones are Knuts. Its seventeen Sickles to a Galleon and twenty-nine Knuts to a Sickle." Miss Burr explained. Princesse Adrianne nodded as she inspected each coin.

When they reached the fresh air outside of Gringotts, Miss Burr turned to Princesse Adrianne and asked, "Do you have you letter with you, Adrianne?"

Princesse Adrianne pulled the envelope out of her pocket and handed it to Miss Burr. Miss Burr pulled out a slip of paper that Princesse Adrianne hadn't noticed before.

"Right, well we need to get you your uniform, your course books, a cauldron, a telescope, brass scales, a set of phials, and of course your wand. Let's get that first shall we?" Princesse Adrianne followed Miss Burr into a shop called Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C. Mr. Ollivander was a short old man with wide, pale eyes. He seemed very eccentric to Princesse Adrianne, but was very helpful in picking out her wand. He rambled on about how he remembered her mother's first visit, and informed her of the exact wand she used, which of course meant nothing to Princesse Adrianne who was clueless about wands. He then pulled out a tape measure to take her measurements, although the tape measurer seemed to have a mind of its own. Mr. Ollivander pulled several boxes off a shelf and had Princesse Adrianne try them all out. The first two were ripped out of her hand almost instantly, but the third felt warm in her hand, and created beautiful pink sparks as she swooshed it in front of her.

"Yes, yes, nine inches, unicorn hair, holly, nice wand, excellent for transfiguration." Mr. Ollivander said. He rang her up and they were on their way. Princesse Adrianne was excited with all the purchases she was making that day and couldn't wait to get home and start reading all her new textbooks. Miss Burr recommended some extra books for Princesse Adrianne to get herself better acquainted with the Wizarding world before she entered Hogwarts. Before leaving Diagon Alley, Miss Burr treated Princesse Adrianne to an ice cream from Florean Fortes cue's
Ice Cream Parlor.

When Miss Burr and Princesse Adrianne returned to the house outside of London, piled down with strange shaped packages and heavy books, Mr. Laverte was waiting for them. Princesse Adrianne told him all about the shops they went into and about Gringotts. Mr. Laverte could tell his granddaughter was very excited. Before leaving, Miss Burr said that the train to Hogwarts left King's Cross Station at 11am on September 1st, and that she was more than willing to accompany them to platform 9 and ¾. Both Mr. Laverte and Princesse Adrianne looked strangely at Miss Burr when she said the platform number, but after checking the tickets it seemed she was right. She said goodbye and promised to see them in four days when the term started.

A/N: I'd just like to remind you all of my request from the first chapter for a sorting hat song. I will seriously love you forever if you write me one!

DISCLAIMER: I do no own any of this nor am I making any profit, this is just my way of passing boring summer nights, and I'm sure eventually it will become another way for me to procrastinate once school starts up again. All names, places, ect. From the Harry Potter world belong to JK Rowling and the publishers ect. and the song quotes belong to their respective artists and the correct rights owners.