Disclaimer: I only own the File's Agency of Diamond Waves, so go beg somewhere else.

Chapter Two:

Arrival and Meeting

Ari awoke the next morning with a start. The dream that had been playing before her eyes fell away like sand through a colander.

'Mail around here comes really early. I wonder if my letter's already here…?' Ari thought as she dressed and went downstairs to check the mailbox. Sure enough, there was a cream-colored envelope addressed in emerald-green ink, but nothing else, as usual.

"Hmm… At least there's mail today. I suppose this is my letter, then." Ari opened the cream envelope.

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 Ms. Skydancer,

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 1st. We await your owl by no later than July 31st.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva Mc Gonagall

Minerva Mc Gonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Ari opened the next page.

UNIFORM:

First year and fast track students will require:

1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)

2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear

3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)

COURSE BOOKS

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade: combined)

A History of Magic

An Intermediate Guide to Transfiguration

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi

Magical Drafts and Potions

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection and Offense

OTHER EQUIPMENT

1 wand

1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)

1 set glass or crystal phials

1 telescope

1 set brass scales

Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad

Wow. Where the heck am I gonna get all of this junk? Oh yeah, I should probably tell Potter the letter came and ask him where to get all this." Ari thought out loud as she walked into the crash room.

Author's Note: I am aware that all of this is extremely boring. It took me about 2 hours to write the first four chapters and that's a lot to say for me. The entire story is finished and it took almost a whole year to complete. So, please, hang in there. The good stuff is coming. Sometime…

"Potter, please."

Hello?

"The letter came today. I was accepted. Where in the world am I going to get all this stuff?"

Someone will come and take you. I said you didn't live anywhere near an alley, so they should.

"Huh? What's an alley?"

A place where magical folks go for their supplies.

"Okay… when do they come?"
Probably around 10. Be ready, they don't like waiting. A helicopter will come to take you out of Purity Canyon.

"Okay, thanks, Potter, I'll talk to you when I get back."

x x x x x x x x

Dinnng dong! (corny, I've heard)

'That must be the helicopter pilot.' "Coming!" Ari opened the door. "Hello?"

"Ms. Arianna Skydancer?"

"Yeah." 'Who else would I be?'

"Okay, let's go. Do you have your list?"

"Of course I do. Let's get outta here."

An hour later, the chopper landed outside of the canyon. The ride had been silent, neither pilot or passenger wanting to break it.

"Well, I'll see you when you return, then. The car's right over there," he said, pointing at a green car.

"Thank you." Ari said as she started towards the car. When she got in, she almost let out a shriek of surprise but caught herself in time. An elderly wizard with silver hair was sitting next to her.

"Who are you?" she asked, trying to sound polite. It didn't work, but the wizard took no notice.

"I am Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts, and I believe you're related to someone I once knew."

"Uhh, sure… What! Who? Why?" Ari was thoroughly confused.

"Long ago, when Hogwarts had first begun, a new school, the four Heads of Houses couldn't decide who would be the headmaster. They fought over it, resulting in the conclusion of hiring one. A powerful witch or wizard to take responsibility of the entire school. They searched for many a day for the right person for this important position.

"They finally decided on a very young priestess named Kikyo. She could use the most powerful of spells with the minimal amount of effort. Now, you're probably wondering what any of this has to do with you, am I correct?"

"Bingo. This isn't making any sense at all."

"That's okay. There is an old legend at Hogwarts that one day this headmistress will return. The reason I'm telling you this is because of Lady Kikyo's last name……

Skydancer."

"But I come from a place called Balinor. I only came to New Earth… a month or so ago. I don't even come from this side of the world! How could I be related to her?"

"Across time and generations. Do you ever feel as though you can use magic or spells far more powerful than you are currently able to? You should. As I stated, Kikyo was a master of the magical arts."

"Yeah… but that's not really a reason to go by. Everyone has that feeling in their life."

"Yes, but have you always felt it? Have you always wanted to increase your magical abilities?"

"Yes, that's the reason I'm coming to Hogwarts, well, one reason, anyway. I have always had a passion for magic..."

"The similarities increase. Alas, we have arrived. Diagon Alley."

"I suppose you use a different currency than the humans of the area? If you do, I'm broke."

"Yes, I suppose I could lend you some money, you would surely pay me back merely by gracing me with your presence this school year."

"Oh, thank you so much, of course I'll come. My boss wouldn't have it any other way."

"Very well," Dumbledore showed no sign of anger towards the indirect insult. "your first stop will be Gringgots. Hagrid will meet you there and accompany you while you pick out your supplies. I daresay he might help with the choosing. Ah, well. Gringgots is the only official looking building in the Alley, so it should be easy enough to find. As will Hagrid. You will know him when you see him." Dumbledore tapped a brick three times with his wand and they parted, revealing a whole nother street. Ari turned to thank him but the elderly warlock was gone.

When she finally found the bank, Ari easily picked out Hagrid, as Dumbledore said she would.

"Hi, I'm Ari. Nice to meet you. Headmaster Dumbledore said that I could borrow some cash to but my things with."

"Dumbledore tol' meh ter help yeh with yer shoppin'."

"He knew I would need the help?"

"Surely! Profess'r Dumbledore sees all, knows all. 'Course he knew yeh were comin'."

"Well, I suppose we should gather my supplies. Do you have the money, or what do we need to do?"

"Yeh don' need ter do a single thin'. I'll get the money, hold on fer a moment."

Author's Note: Yeh never really know how hard it is ter write an accent until yeh actually do.

"Is it alright if we go to the wand shop first? I noticed it on my list."

"Sure!"

"How do they choose the right wand for the right sorcerer?"

"I'd rether not tel' yeh. It's really quite ermazin'."

"Alright, then. I suppose I'll find out soon enough." Ari sighed.

They reached the shop and Hagrid urged her in alone.

"You… are here for a wand, correct? Hogwarts, yes?"

"Yeah… how do you know which wand goes to whom?"

"Each and every wand chooses it's owner, one who is most adapt to it's individual abilities. Let's begin, shall we?"

"Okay…" Ari murmured as the elderly shop keeper began pulling down boxes. He handed her a wand after opening and reclosing many of the small boxes.

"Give it a swish, now. Oak. Dragon heart string. Phoenix feather."

Ari waved the wand slightly and a vase on a nearby table exploded. "No, no, NO! This won't do at all. Try this one. Cherry. Phoenix feather. Unicorn hair."

Ari tried this one and boxes flew, zooming all around. She felt the wand ripped from her fingers. "Oh, no, no, NO! Tricky one, aren't you? Try this one, then. Plum. Dragon heart string. Unicorn hair. A dark wand this be, fused with dark sorcery. One unusual ingredient, river reed stem from the Celestial Valley. Ever heard of the place?"

"Umm… yes... I'm from Balinor, the place the unicorns from that valley protect."

"Oh. Well, go on, try it."

Ari took the wand and, without the added bonus of a mystical golden light, she knew this one was different from the others, the one for her.

"Incredible. That wand has refused even the greatest of warlocks. It has been here almost as long as I have. Who are you?"

"If you must know, I am Arianna Skydancer, Princess of Balinor. My bonded unicorn is the Sunchaser, Lord of the Animals. I have been in the Celestial Valley twice already. Perhaps that answers your question of why the wand chose me." Ari recited, at once regretting it.

"Your majesty, forgive I did not recognize you."

"Get up. I left home so I wouldn't have to deal with all this royalty crap. I don't need you bowing to me in the middle of your own shop."

"Err… Right. Please move to the front of the store and I'll be with you shortly." he said as another girl entered the shop.

"Hi! I'm Jennifer! I need a wand, obviously. Let's go, I'm ready."

"Well, you certainly seem to know what you're doing. Try this one. God wood. Phoenix feather. Demonic dog hair. Shikon powder."

Jennifer flicked the wand confidently. The golden light surrounded her.

"Amazing… that wand. I've tried it on almost everyone since it came to my possession. Some of them had to go to St. Mungo's after trying it. Two stubborn wands in the same day. Something must be happening at Hogwarts this year."

"Hi… I'm Ari. I take it you're going to Hogwarts?"

"Fast track. Teaches you everything you need to know in only one year."

"Oh! Me too. I've never seen anything like this before. My job requires that I go here. Why are you going?"

"My parents. They only want their daughter to be the best at everything. Talk about controlling. I just want to live my life like a normal person, crazy person if you know what I mean, and maybe become a pilot."

"Well, it was nice meeting you. I guess I'll see you on September first. Bye."

Ari walked outside and found Hagrid. They bought the rest of her supplies and headed to the ice-cream shop. They ate their ice-cream and left the Alley.

"Dumbledore'll be here soon. I got ter get goin' . Got ter protect the grounds an' such. See yeh on September first." Hagrid said as he left.

'Wow. This is gonna be the best school ever! That wand guy said Jennifer's wand contained God wood, pheonix feather, demonic dog hair, and Shikon powder. All things from Japan's warring state. Wonder where she's from, though. She seemed Chinese. Oh well. There's my ride! Can't wait for September first!'

Jennifer Wangett:

Age: 15 Birthday: June 28th, 1987 Zodiac: Rabbit Sign: Cancer Blood type: A

Birthplace: Indianapolis, Indiana. Status: Straight-A student... Favorite Animal: Her cats Keiko and Mimi

Agent Number: 018 (#, I lost count...) Group patrol number: not yet established Number of agents: not yet established. Mission: not yet established.