Disclaimer: Bryn's mine, but most of the other stuff in this belongs to J.K. Rowling.

Chapter 2 –Interesting Encounters: Bryn surveyed the small apartment she would now call home with a critical eye. It was nice enough, she decided at last. After all, size didn't really matter; she would only be living here during school vacations. Once she graduated and got a job, maybe she could afford a better place. But that was all idle speculation and wasn't doing her any good. What would do her good was a trip to the shops in the alley below (the apartment was on the 3rd floor) to buy supplies for Hogwarts. After all, school started in a week.

Going over to where she'd piled her luggage, Bryn dug through one of the bags, searching for her supply/book list from Hogwarts. After about a half hour of tearing apart her bags accompanied by much cursing, she finally found it. Smoothing out the crinkled parchment, she read:

For sixth year, you will require:

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 6)

by Miranda Goshawk

Advanced Transfiguration

by Andros Jimaji

A Guide to Advanced Potion Making

by Arsenius Jigger

Encyclopedia of Runes

by Casima Gontura

Scrying the Heavens

by Virgo Tucana

Battling the Dark Forces

by Kanan Tokran

Magical Zoology

by Leo Delphinius

As a transfer student, you will also need

3 sets of plain work robes (black)

1 black pointed hat for day wear

1 pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

1 winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)

That wasn't all. Attached to the list was a letter that Bryn read next.

Dear Ms. Sayre,

Due to the circumstances of your transfer, you will be placed on three months probation while your fitness to attend Hogwarts School is ascertained. This is standard procedure, and at the end of your probation, you will be told whether or not you can stay.

Also, it has been brought to our attention that you are studying necromancy. Therefore, you will require Necronomica Advantica Volume 1, by Sabria Ravyn. You will be informed of the time and location of your lessons after you arrive.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall,

Deputy Headmistress

Probation, what a surprise, Bryn thought bitterly. It made sense, of course, but that didn't mean she had to like it. Still, the letter had laid one of her worries to rest. She would continue to study necromancy, which was good, considering that if a necromancer didn't complete his or her training, eventually that power would break free. Without the needed control, such a breakout often resulted in disaster. She decided not to think about that, though, and instead changed into a set of dark blue wizard's robes. Going to Diagon Alley in Muggle clothes seemed stupid. Digging a bit more in her bags, Bryn managed to locate a brush. She went into the bathroom to make use of the mirror. As always, she paused to scrutinize her appearance. Bryn had straight, jet black hair that fell about 3 inches past her shoulders with two blue streaks in the front, pale skin, and clear gray eyes. Boys found her attractive, but unlike Sarai, one of her best friends, Bryn wasn't fond of flirting. All that she found important or special in her looks was that they came from her father's side of the family. She clung to a silly hope that this fact might help her learn the truth behind her past.

Bryn scowled at her reflection and ran the brush through her hair. You've no time for hopeless dreams, idiot, she told herself sternly. Tossing the brush aside, she strode out of the building.

30 minutes later, Bryn walked out of Madam Malkin's Robes For All Occasions, carrying a large bag that contained her new uniform. On her way to the bookstore, Flourish and Blotts, she passed the wand shop, Ollivanders. Looking at it, Bryn was tugged into a memory...

She was 11 years old and had just been accepted at Salem. She and her mother had bought everything she needed – except a wand. For that, her mother insisted they Floo to London to visit Ollivanders. According to Julia Sayre, that was the best place for wands anywhere. Bryn didn't see the point of traveling so far, but she went along with it.

The shop was dusty and seemed to radiate ancient magic. Julia sat on a chair to wait, and an old man appeared, almost from nowhere. He smiled, his pale eyes glowing, or so it seemed to Bryn. "Ah, Julia, I remember you. Willow and unicorn, 12 inches, right? And this must be young Ambryn. You look very like your father, if I remember correctly," he said in a whispery voice. "We're here to get Bryn's first wand, please," Julia had said sharply. Obviously, she meant to steer the topic as far from Bryn's dad as possible. Mr. Ollivander must have realized this, because he began handing Bryn wands to try out. She didn't know how many she tried, but it had to have been at least two dozen, because her wrist was very sore. At last, he handed her a dark wand, and when she took it, a strange warmth filled her fingers and silver sparks shot from the wand's tip. "Ah, ebony and dragon heartstring, 11 and a half inches. Ideal for the more...obscure branches of magic. A powerful wand, in the right hands..."

Even now, years later, Bryn wondered about Mr. Ollivander's words. Obscure magic? Like what, necromancy? Powerful how? As Bryn walked into the bookstore, she pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind. Pulling her list out, she went to the counter. Soon she had her course books, but stopped the clerk fromringing her up. She hadn't gotten Necronomica Advantica yet. Quickly she headed down the aisle labeled as 'Other Magics'. She went a little too fast, though, and slammed into a man, nearly knocking him down. Bryn leapt back, surprised. The man she'd almost run over was tall, with kind blue -gray eyes, and though he was young, gray-flecked brown hair. "Sorry, um, guess I wasn't watching where I was going. Are you all right?" she mumbled. This is what you get for always being in such a blasted hurry, she told herself severely. However, the man simply smiled slightly and, in a slightly hoarse voice, replied, "I'm fine, no harm done. I just -" He stopped abruptly, his eyes shocked. Bryn blinked, confused. Why was he looking at her like that? She was even more bewildered when the man hurried past her and walked out, a very odd expression on his face. She watched him for a moment, then went back down the aisle. She had things to do.

Meanwhile, the man she'd been watching continued down the street, obviously preoccupied. That girl, she looked so much like...but it couldn't be. He knew full well Julia had taken her daughter to America, so that could not be Ambryn. And yet...the resemblance was startling. Despite his doubts, the man found himself thinking that he'd keep an eye out for the girl. Just in case...

A/N: Love it? Hate it? Let me know. Oh, and I need to apologize. I knew chapter 1 sucked, and I put it up anyway. Sorry. I had a better intro...but it would have given the game away far too early. Speaking of that, I'm sure you all recognize the guy Bryn almost ran over, but have you figured out who Bryn is yet? Oh, one last thing : who should be DADA teacher, Tonks or Lupin again? Vote please.