I always knew I had magic. The accidents as a child were proof enough, but the one time I got a hold of Remus's wand... I was in trouble forever, or at least it seemed so at the time. I had snuck into his room, at six years old, and found a wooden stick on the dresser. It was longer than my foot, and at one end it rounded out into an egg shape. I waved it like I had seen Remus do before, and the sheets on the rumpled bed turned a violent shade of purple. I waved it again and turned around to find Remus standing behind me, his hair a periwinkle, fading into plum at the roots. I giggled and my hair changed to match. A ripple of colour beginning at the roots and flowing down to the tip of my braid at my elbow. I could tell he was holding back a smile but scolded me regardless. "Leo Antlia Black, give that here. You know better than to touch someone else's things."

Yes, I was a Black. My father was Regulus Black, though I never knew him, and my mother was Vivienne Black nee Price. They were married young, and I was conceived right before my father's presumed death.

On how I ended up with Remus Lupin as my guardian, well that was a tale in and of itself.

My mother died in childbirth after my father had disappeared. I was given to my Uncle Sirius, who named Remus as my godfather. One year later Sirius was imprisoned for the murder of his friend, Peter Pettigrew, and several others, including muggles. So I was placed with Remus, with the understanding that every full moon I would spend with the one and only, Albus Dumbledore. Or 'Brr', as I called him as a child.

As my eleventh birthday approached, I was anxiously awaiting an owl at the window. "Ray?" I spoke to Remus through a mouthful of sausage. "What if I'm a squib? What if they forget my letter? What if-"

He held up a hand to interrupt me. "Don't speak with food in your mouth, and I'm sure it will be here soon. Your morphing is proof you're not a squib. Relax and be patient."

His comment about my morphing was in reference to me, being a metamorphmagus. That was much too big a mouthful as a child, so I had taken to calling myself a morph.

As he had finished speaking, almost as if it was waiting for him to complete the sentence, there was a tap at the window. I flew from my seat and let in the small brown owl. Tied to its leg was a letter.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Miss Black,

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

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

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

There was a second page listing the books and equipment I would need.

First year students will require:

Uniform

Three set of plain work robes (black)

One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear

One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)

Please note that all student's clothes should carry name tags at all times.

Books

The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1, by Miranda Goshawk

A History of Magic, by Bathilda Bagshot

Magical Theory, by Adalbert Waffling

A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration, by Emeric Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi, by Phyllida Spore

Magical Drafts and Potions, by Arsenius Jigger

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, by Newt Scamander

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection, by Quentin Trimble

Other Equipment

1 Wand

1 Cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)

1 Set of glass or crystal phials

1 Telescope

1 Set of brass scales

Students may also bring an Owl OR a Cat OR a Toad.

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS.

I squealed loudly, turning with a grin on my face. "Remus, can we go get my things? Pleeeeease Ray?"

He grinned back. "Of course, I can pick up a few things I've needed for some potions."

It wasn't my first trip to Diagon Alley, but it seemed so much more thrilling now that we were getting my school things. Our first stop was Gringott's. The wizarding bank. I handed the goblin in charge of the Black vaults my key, and we set off down the roller coaster that was the transport system. I collected several handfuls of coins into a small bottomless pouch, and then we were back out in the sun. I was fitted for my robes next, and the Madame said to come back in an hour, they'd be ready then. Then I insisted we go to Ollivander's.

The wandmaker's shop was small, with thousands of narrow boxes lining every spare bit of space. The air practically tingled with magic, and I shivered. Glancing at the wand on display in the window. "Hello?" I called into the emptiness. A man appeared before me quite suddenly, his wide eyes glowing.

"Ah, Miss Black. Seems only yesterday your parents were in here. Your father, Hawthorne, ten inches and swishy. Favored charm work. Whereas your mother, she was a wild card. Hornbeam, like my own, eight and three quarter inches, but quite rigid. It was best in it's use for defensive spells. As to what your wand will thrive in, that remains to be seen, does it not?" With a faintly amused smirk, he turned to the shelves. "Here." He thrust a wand into my hand, but snatched it away just as quick. "No no no, not that one." A new wand was given to me, and I gave it a tentative wave. There was a tremendous crash as a wall of wand boxes fell to the floor.

Ollivander gave me several different wands to try, all resulting in disaster. In one of the brief pauses between wands, I held up my hand. "Mister Ollivander sir, could I try that one?" I pointed to the display wand.

"Well you're welcome to, but that wand has rejected many a witch and wizard for the last twenty years. It's a stubborn wand, that is."

"I still would like to try it," I confirmed. Remus watched me with a small smile as the old man took the wand from the window and brought it to me. The instant it touched my skin purple and copper sparks flew from the tip. Excited, I drew the wand into my hand fully. "Does that mean it chose me?" I could barely contain my squeal. He nodded.

"I guess you've been chosen. Congratulations. Redwood with a Thestral tendon core, the last of it's kind. Since the Thestrals refuse to work with us anymore, nine and a half inches, and quite supple. This wand will be very powerful, and you must take care to cherish it. The core makes it a rather needy wand, but if you prove worthy of its devotion, you will rise far above anything you can imagine. That will be eight Galleons."

Slightly stunned by the abrupt change of tone, I reached into my pouch and paid the man.

The rest of my shopping trip was uneventful. We picked up my books and other supplies, returning at the end for my robes. I chose a spotted wood owl as my pet, knowing I would need one to communicate with Remus, and named him Stripes. (Not very original I know, but I was eleven, give me a break.) And soon enough September first had arrived. It was time to go to Hogwarts.


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