[AN: In this chapter I have an actual quote from the first book. It's not mine, I do not own it, and I am simply adding detail to the story.]

It turns out I didn't need the photo. I had gone off on my own- well, really we all just went to different places- and headed straight for Ollivander's. The shop was empty, but Mr. Ollivander soon appeared.

"Hello, miss. Looking to buy a wand?"

"Um, well, yes and no-"

"Oh, my. You look a lot like your aunt when she came in here all those years ago." He remembers her!

"Erm, actually, she's why I'm here. I don't know anything about her. And I want to know who she is." The old man smiled. "Could you tell me?"

"You've got a thirst for knowledge; that's good. Well, I can tell you some things about her. Her name is Andromeda Tonks now that she's married. And she's got a daughter who's a Metamorphagous, too." Too? How- oh. My hair's pink. (It happens when I'm excited.)

"Thank you so much Mr. Ollivander. But, do you perhaps know why my parents hate her?"

"That you'll have to find out on our own." His eyes twinkled. "Now, I think I have a wand that's perfect for you." He disappeared to go find it. My mother came in.

"Oh, Lucia, you're here. Good. We can find your wand, and then you can go get your robes. Then Draco can come get his wand." I nodded. I felt like I'd been caught doing something horrible. A few moments later, Mr. Ollivander came back.

"Try this one: ebony and unicorn hair, 11 ½ inches, slightly springy." He didn't seem to notice my mother. I took the wand and gave it a soft flick. "No, no that won't do," he said, taking the wand back. "Try this one: alder and phoenix feather, 10 ¾ inches, brittle." I tried it and golden sparks flew out of the end. I wasn't sure why, but it just felt… right. "Interesting…"

"What?" I asked.

"It's an interesting combination to have chosen you. But, the wand chooses the wizard." I nodded. My mother paid him, and I left my wand with her. She sent me off to Madame Malkin's to get my robes.

I stepped through the doorway and heard Draco talking. "… I'll be in Slytherin, all our family have been- imagine being in Hufflepuff…" I stood waiting. After a few minutes, a boy with messy hair and glasses leaves with his robes. Then I was taken back for fittings.

"Where have you been?" asked Draco.

"None of your business. You shouldn't be so rude, you know. He could have been from a Muggle family."

"Since when do you care?"

"Since when does it matter?" I snapped. Draco had finished, and I did shortly after. Our parents had already paid, so we took our robes and left. Draco complained that he kept getting pricked with needles. I told him if he didn't squirm so much, he wouldn't get poked. He shut up after that. We headed to Flourish & Blotts, and our father had just finished purchasing our books. He took us to Ollivander's; I didn't know how to tell him I already got a wand. My mother told him for me.

I stood quietly while Draco searched for his wand. I thought about what Mr. Ollivander had said. I thought about my wand and about how I'd like an owl. I thought about what house I'd be in. I decided I didn't want to be in Slytherin; I want to break the pattern. I mean, what's special about following in the entire family's footsteps? Every single Malfoy or Black has been in Slytherin. Why can't I be different? What'd be so wrong about that?

I was so focused on my thoughts; I barely noticed Draco had found his wand. Then we left. We went to the Owl Emporium. Draco picked out an eagle owl; and I chose a brown owl. I wanted something simple for once.

The rest of the summer passed rather quickly. Hardly anything happened. I read my books, secretly practiced a few spells, and drew everything I could. I named my owl Athen, and let him fly where he wished. He always came back; usually with a mouse. Most days, Draco and I would chase each other on brooms. Sometimes we'd practice different Quidditch positions; not really Beater though, it was had since we couldn't use real Bludgers. One day we just talked about Quidditch.

"It's a pity first years can't have brooms. If I could, I'd be an excellent Seeker," said Draco.

"Yea, if you could catch the Snitch."

"I can!"

"Cannot! I fly with you; you can't catch a Quaffle when I throw it right to you, let alone a Snitch with its own mind." He stormed off. I wanted to call out to him, but I didn't get a chance. Draco yelled over his shoulder.

"At least I'll make our parents proud!" He didn't know he'd struck a chord, that is, until I tackled him. I knew he was right, and that's what bothered me. I'd gotten by on talent so far, but at Hogwarts, I could be a disappointment.

I had knocked the wind out of him, and I bent over him, my hair bright red. I must have looked pretty scary, or he was just a chicken. "Don't you ever say something like that again," I growled. We hardly spoke the rest of the summer.