Disclaimer: Alterations to characters, concepts, and backgrounds are primarily fundamental. All characters, groups, and organizations, with the exception of OCs are owned by their respective companies.

Cid Wood breathed a sigh of relief as she searched the time, smirking happily as the train to kicked off in ten minutes. She gazed down at her small companion, exiting their estate car silently, stopping patiently as Cid opened the trunk, snatching a nearby cart.

''You ready?''

At the small girl's nod, the two made their way to join the queue ,Cid handing the girl her post to scan over.

''That's all the stuff we're going to need,'' Cid informed, nodding at the parchment. The eleven year old tilted her head, making the apparent women smile.

''Some things have already been taken care of. Your mother wants the best afterall, '' Cid teased, gently ruffling her hair. The girl scowled silently, before pushing the post into her pockets as they reached the front of the queue. Cid paid for their tickets, and the two swiftly boarded the train to find seats.

Once settled, Cid quickly held up a small canister.

''Polyjuice potion. Can't exactly have you walking around in Diagon Alley of all places, right? Bottom's up.''

The raven haired girl simply stared at her for a moment, before tilting her head towards the boarding passengers. Cid blinked in confusion for a moment, before the realization hit her.

''Oh. Right. Not in public.''

The small girl shook her head, continuing to listen as the train finally took off, encouraging Cid to talk of the various ways she could design the train to go faster without fatality.

As time passed, the train came to a stop. Cid stood up, offering the eleven year old a tentative hand. Once accepted, the two made their way out to a stair lift, across from the one that was broken down, to be greeted by the sight of a bustling road of shops.

They passed various businesses ( including a bookstore, much to the eleven year old's disappointment) and to a tiny dirty pub, which didn't get not even get a glance from passing crowds. The girl admired the illusion for a moment before she was gently pulled inside.

The interior was dim, inhabited by old women and other rugged looking residents. No one paid any special attention to her , thanks to a quick stop to the loo, to which she walked out with blonde hair, along with brown eyes.

''Need anything ladies?'' the bartender asked, pointing towards a set of stools. The eleven year old barely acknowledged this as she gazed around for the closest exit. Cid answered with a shake of her head.

''No need, pedestrian. Come along, erm, Harriet.''

'Harriet' rolled her eyes at the poor name attempt, ignoring the bartender's confusion at Cid's choice of words. She then froze, immediately making eye contact with wandering eyes. A man, who poorly sported a purple turban, looked away, returning to his drink.

Her eyes narrowed, but reluctantly saved the matter for later, following Cid out of the increasingly irritating pub. They soon made it out into a small walled courtyard, much to Cid's annoyance.

'' You would think they would make the entrance more presentable! There's a damn overflowing bin right there! Your very first impression of their world! Now that I'm considering it, this makes a lot more sense. A bit of poetic justice, eh? I would honestly hightail you out of this dump if this school wasn't your mother's request.''

'Harriet' nodded at these words, a small smile forming at the mention of her mother. Cid just shook her head, eyeing a section of the wall before touching it, a small hole appearing in the middle. The whole began expanding gradually, before forming an archway onto a cobbled pathway that twisted out of sight.

Cid snorted, finding it cliche, while her companion instead chose to inspect the archway thoroughly. Seeing this, the woman pulled her through the archway, which closed immediately behind them.

A dark haired twelve year old gazed into 'Potages Cauldron Shop', which naturally had cauldrons if all types and sizes waiting for her. Her mother, who accompanied her to the business, sighed.

''Mara, we have plenty of cauldrons at home.''

''Yeah, but only copper and brass! Not Pewter, Silver- mum, they even got collapsible cauldrons!''

''You do realize this will come out of your vault allowance? No more purchases for a month.''

Mara disregarded this, quickly taking it as an invite to explore the shop. Her mother sighed. At least they've managed to get everything else done beforehand. Hopefully her wife was having much better luck in Broomstix.

Mara wandered into the cauldron shop, fondling the items, only to abruptly stop at the owner's angry insistence.

After a while, her mother thought as she guided her daughter out of the store to set out to find their relatives at the Ice Cream Parlor. Mara's eyes glinted in delight.

''You think Severus Snape is as great as a potions master as they say?'' Mara speculated curiously as they sat down to enjoy their treat. Her mother nodded.

''I'm sure his reputation proceeds him, dear. But remember to give him space. No need to act like...what does your sister call it...a 'fangirl'?''

''I do not do that.''

''Regardless, don't raise your expectations too high. While brilliant, he can be a bit...cold.''

''So..like mother?''

The braided hair woman smiled lightly, taking another lick from her ice cream.

''Precisely. While we're on the topic of Hogwarts…''

''Mum…''

''Shush. Listen, I'm not sure whether it's okay for a parent to say this but… I highly doubt you and your sister will be in the same House.''

Mara snorted at this, stopping at her mum's look.

''I am completely serious, young lady. Do not let these petty rivalries get in the way of you and your sister. It's downright alarming how much they take it to the utmost extreme.''

Mara nodded at this. The Gryffindor and Slytherin rivalry had been going on for a while, while the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs...well, that was more indifference than rivalry at best.

''Look, Mara, what I'm trying to say is...she's your sister. Don't let anything get in the way of that,'' her mum advised firmly. Mara nodded.

''Of course mum.''

The woman sighed at this, finishing her cone before reaching over to squeeze the girl's hand gently.

''Very well. I should also advise you to...be safe this year. Avoid any form of trouble.''

''Mum-''

''We left Sweden for a reason,'' she stated, not missing Mara's eye roll.

''You say that like that's a good thing. And you know as well as I do we just moved into...another group's territory.''

''That doesn't mean you shouldn't keep a low profile. This is one of the few instances your...heritage will not draw attention. Take this advantage to not make this all go to Hel.''

''I'm not Raine! I know how to pick my fights beforehand,'' the twelve year old defended. The woman smiled.

''Try not to have any altercations of any kind. Besides...mischief is in your nature.''

''...Don't be so cheesy mum,'' Mara muttered, slumping further into her seat. She merely got a smile in response.

Once they were finished, the two set out once again, passing families of colorful buildings as they set out to find their family members.

''You know as well as I do first years aren't allowed brooms.''

''But Morsa-''

''You have a capable one at home...unless you broke it in this short period of time.''

The redheaded twelve year old scrunched her features, highly offended at the very idea. Her Morsa shook her head as they left for ' Madam Malkin's Robes For All Occasions'.

They entered the shop to be greeted by the woman herself, a squat mauve dressed witch , beaming at the girl's mother, who offered a rare small smile in return.

''Well, if it isn't little Jade Dahlen! Well, you certainly aren't exactly little right now, are you dear? How has the world been treating you? Sweden and those lot finally ran you back home?''

''Wanted my children to experience Hogwarts themselves. Madam, I would like you to meet my daughter, Raine. Raine, Madam Malkin,'' Jade introduced formally, urging Raine forward. Malkin beamed at the little witch.

''Hogwarts dear? How lovely! Got the lot here- a young man being fitted up just now, in fact!''

Raine blinked in the direction the woman pointed, a platinum haired boy standing on a stool while a second witch pinned up his robes.

Jade nodded for Raine to go on, allowing Malkin to place a stool next to the boy.

'' Hello. Hogwarts too?'' the boy asked. Raine nodded her head enthusiastically.

''Of course! Exciting, isn't it?''

''Truly. My father's next door buying my books and mother's up in the street looking at wands,'' he answered in a bored drawling voice. Raine blinked.

''Oh...uh, cool? So...are you into Quidditch?''

''Truly,'' the boy answered once again, much to Raine's slight annoyance.

''I'm going to drag my parents off to look at the brooms. I think I'll have my father getting me one and smuggling it into school somehow.''

Raine rolled her eyes. Not only did he tell his life story every two seconds, he was clearly a spoiled brat.

''Have you got your own broom?''

Raine immediately pulled into focus, forgetting her previous distaste as she nodded her head vigorously.

''LOVE IT! My Morsa -''

''Your what?''

'' You know, my mother. Anyway, she taught me how to fly when I was seven! It's a wonderful experience, being in the air and flying to your heart's content, the wind blowing through-''

''Yes, well, father says it's a crime if I'm not picked to play for my house, and I say, I must agree. Know what house you'll be in yet?''

Raine resisted the urge to strangle him for interrupting, choosing instead to nod her head.

''Maybe Gryffindor, I mean, at least I hope so. My other..erm… up here it's mum right? Mum was-''

''Gryffindor?! The house of barbarians?! And what do you mean by 'other mum'? Are you telling me your...parents disregarded marriage? Everyone knows while you are free to sleep with whomever you please before your six year, afterwards you must pledge yourself to a man-''

''I'm sorry, my parents are none of your concern, idiot,'' Raine snapped, turning away from him. The boy sneered.

''Typical. Perhaps you belong in the dirty Gryffindor den. Full of unbathed mudbloods and their filthy lovers. All emotional like you are-''

''I'm so sorry dear! Was just catching up with your dear mother,'' Malkin's interrupted, getting started on fitting her. Draco went silent, much to Raine's utter satisfaction, fist clenching dangerously. Another dose went through her silently as she looked to see his fitter sending her Morsa a dirty look.

This only served futile as the dark haired witch sent a much colder look back, making the woman flinch.

Raine's attention came to the sound of a door opening, revealing her twin sister. Raine inwardly smiled as he sister walked in with her head held high, ridiculous for Raine, but seemingly effective to others. The boy's attention settled on the dark haired girl in interest.

''Hello. Hogwarts as well? What house do you think you'll get into?''

''Slytherin,'' her sister answered, in a bored voice of her own as another person came to fit her. Raine considered warning her sister about the boy, but took the disinterest in her sister's expression as an assurance in itself.

Draco nodded his approval, diverting his attention to a well dressed woman outside holding two ice cream cones patiently.

''I see your family is as structured as mine's. For me, my entire family has been in Slytherin-heh, imagine being in Hufflepuff, I think I'd leave, wouldn't you?'

''Mmm.''

''Is that your mother?''

''She's my mum.''

''Right. Well is she truly-''

''That's you done, my dear,'' Malkin told Raine, who hopped from her stool. The boy sneered.

''That one...she is being 'parented' by two untied women. Disgraceful to their bloodline. Nothing out of the ordinary to see something like that when young, that's what mother told me. But my father made it pretty clear by your sixth year-''

He stopped as his new companion's mum handed Raine the ice cream cone with a smile with, to Draco's horror, wore a tone of familiarity.

''Those are my parents and sister you're talking about. I assist in discussing other matters,'' the girl suggested casually. However, Draco was no fool. He immediately catched the underlying cold threat in her words, an unknown amount of venom laced through every pulse and syllable. Gulping, he slowly nodded.

''So...I'm Draco Malfoy, heir of the Malfoy Household….you are?''

''Mara Dahlen.''

''Ya sure ye want to head into there yerself, sweetie?''

''It's a bookstore, Dadai. I'm sure I'll be fine.''

''Alright, if ye insist,'' her Dadai agreed, and wished her farewell before heading to the pub. Shaking her head in amusement, she entered the lively bookstore, the golden yellow lit area giving an air of invitation to explore.

Looking at her list, she headed forward to get her books, which didn't take long to locate. Once finding it, she yelped as she was suddenly barged into.

A bushy haired brunette immediately turned around, her face completely flustered as she attempted to apologize.

''I'm so so sorry! I'm just completely fascinated by all of this! I'm muggleborn you see and-''

The girl laughed, shaking her head as she bent down to help the rambling girl gather her books.

''It's okay, I'm muggleborn too, I get how it is. I'm Fianna. But ye can call me Fia,'' she offered, holding out a hand. The bushy haired girl blushed, holding out her own hand.

''Hermione Granger.''

''Would you like to browse with me? I may or may not know where all the books I'm supposed to get are,'' Fia admitted, blushing. Hermione immediately beamed.

''Of course! Anything special you need that was on your post?''

The two continued to chatter as they explored the bookstore, suggestions being brought up here and there. Eventually, they made their way back to a waiting queue.

''I don't get why people aren't crowding around ye right now, yer a marvelous person,'' Fia complemented honestly. Hermione gave her a small smile.

''Well, people do tend to find me….I'm just glad you like me at least. I bumped into another girl earlier. She didn't speak to me at all, just stared at me while I tried to apologize and ended up glaring at me.''

Fia shook her head. The nerve of this world was starting to get to her, and they seriously needed some upgrades. Culture and attitude wise.

''Believe it or not, muggleborns aren't exactly the highlight to this culture...well, at least here anyway. Don't worry about that poor excuse of a git, Hermione. Ye have me now!''

''Erm..right,'' Hermione answered, taking the Irish girl's words to heart. Fia smiled, looping an arm around Hermione's own as they reached the counter.

''Fascinating.''

'Harriet' cringed, noting that was the seventh time Cid uttered that word as they headed out of Gringotts.

''It's just...their security system is amazing! Obviously, a few tweaks here and there couldn't hurt, but for a magical system just...they didn't even have to glance up to know who you were!''

The eleven year old nodded, finding that tidbit impressive by its own merit. Cid looks towards the bookstore.

''Would you like to take another look through there?''

'Harriet' scowled, immediately shook her head quickly, for the first time not wanting to do with a place like that ever again. Bookstores are meant to be a haven, not a place where people bump into you and suddenly scream at you for grabbing the last copy of a book. If she ran into that horrid girl again, she'd gladly punch her own ticket to the Underworld.

Cid blinked at this, before a smile began to spread on her lips.

''Really? So, uh...Ice cream parlor?''

'Harriet' raised an eyebrow. She literally hated ice cream. But seeing the hopeful glint in Cid's eyes, she nodded. Afterall, not only did she bring her all this way, but she even managed to deal with Helen's silence with impressive tolerance. Sure, years of practice helped, but still, she appreciated it nevertheless.

She certainly didn't regret the smile that instantly glowed on Cid's face.