I remember when my brother spoke of Hogwarts, the way his eyes would light up and how his voice was filled with longing and happiness as he recounted his days wandering the halls with friends; learning under the great founders. Oh the stories I could wax on and on about my own time there. The love I encountered, the love I lost, I would not trade it for anything.

I can only assume Hogwarts is the same now as it was then, Full of learning and laughter; of life long friends and rivalries meant to spur you on. My only advice is to cherish your time there, to understand that there will be those who don't believe as you do; and to try and understand them even as you stand against them. In these next few pages of this book you will find spells well within the means of a first year. Some will help you navigate the labyrinth that is the Hogwarts halls, others can be used in the defense of yourself in others. Use these at your discretion and enjoy your first year.

Morgana

"Are you still readin' tha' journal?"

Lilith looked up from her journal, slowly closing the book as Izzy walked into their dorm room, a stack of books in her hands.

"It's interesting." Lilith said, putting it to the side as she turned fully to her friend, "what'd you get?" she asked excitedly.

"Couple of books on magical history, a book of spells I though' looked interestin' and some potion journals!" she declared, passing the books to her friend, "Su and Lisa are still lookin' for some magical creature books; i'm sure they'll be up momentarily."

"These will help us on their own." Lilith said, pulling the history of magic text from the top of the pile, "Professor Binns isn't teaching us anything.:

"An' the dungeon bat doesnae like you." Isobel chirped, settling down right beside her friend with one of the potion books, "best ta get a head start."

Lilith rolled her eyes, "two weeks in and he's still a git." she grumbled, "at least he's not taking as many points now."

"Still wasn' right what he did to your potion." Isobel grumbled, "it was perfect! An' he just…dropped it!"

"Andy gave me a good spell that'll make the bottle unbreakable." Lilith said primly, "I can't wait to see his face next time he tries to do that!"

"Lilith!" Su called as she walked into the room, carrying a stack of books,"Your brothers at the door! Says it's important!"

Lilith cocked her head to the side and stood up, "wonder what it's about." she wondered out loud as Isobel followed after her.

"Didn' they have the flyin' lessons today?" Izzy asked, "maybe he wants to talk about that."

'Maybe." She agreed as they reached the common room, the entrance was open and Harry and Ron were waiting in the hallway, Harry looked a bit dumbfounded while Ron was happily gushing about something.

"-it's absolutely amazing! It's never been done before!" The redhead chattered away, completely absorbed in telling his tale to the other boys in their year, "first one in a century!"

"What's going on then?" Lilith asked, looking at Ron, then her brother, who still looked a bit shell shocked.

"I'll tell you what!" Ron exclaimed excitedly, "Harry's the new Gryffindor Seeker!"

"No way!" Izzy shouted, a mixture of shock and jealousy in her words.

"Yeah! McGonnagall just gave him the position!" Ron proclaimed proudly, catching the attention of other Ravenclaw first years.

"You've taken the mickey!" Terry declared as Kevin Entwistle and Roger Malone nodded along, "no first years ever been on the team!"

"Until now!" Ron said proudly, crossing his arms defiantly.

"Harry?" Lilith prodded gently, ignoring the brewing argument between Ron and the ravenclaw first years, "is it true?"

Harry nodded slowly, "Draco stole Neville's remembrall when Neville broke his arm during practice," Harry began, the argument dying as everyone listened with rapt attention, "and I told Draco to give it back, but he flew off. So I chased after him-tried to knock him off his broom actually-but he threw the remembrall so I flew after it and caught it before it could break a window-"

"-a window McGonnagall was behind!" Ron took over, "we thought he was a goner when she came out and marched him off!"

"I thought I was about to be expelled." Harry agreed with a strained chuckle, Lilith could see how bad the thought truly unnerved him, "but she took me to the DADA classroom and called Oliver wood out of class, she told him she found a new Seeker."

"Just like that!?" Isobel demanded, eagerly leaning in.

Harry nodded quickly, "yea, he said he'd have to test me himself, but I was told to write home and ask for a broom."

"Do you think Ted will let you use his cleansweep?" Lilith asked with a large grin, happy for her brother and eager to see if he could make the team.

"I-I don't know, but he has to, doesn't he?" Harry asked, his own excitement rising alongside his sisters, "I was going to send Hedwig but-"

"-well what are we waiting for?" Lilith asked, "The last one to the owlery is the rotten egg!" with that she took off, and Harry only waited a moment before launching off after her.

Immediately Ron and Isobel ran after them. Shoving each other good naturedly as they went. Terry and the other ravenclaw first years chattering excitedly behind them.

WVWVW

Ted popped his back as he strolled into the entrance hall, "Andy darling!" he called as he made his way up the stairs, knowing his wife would be in her potions lab at this time of day. "Are you hungry? I'm thinking we could go out tonight if you are!"

"I'm feeling a bit peckish!" she called back, her melodic lilt easing the tension in his shoulders. "Give me a moment to clean up!"

"Take all the time you need dear." he said absentmindedly as he went back down the steps and into the foyer, surprised to see Hedwig perched on the open window, a letter in her beak, "well hello there Hedwig, wonderful day we're having isn't it?" he asked conversationally as he got an owl treat and held it out as he took the letter, Hedwig eagerly took it and munched on it as Ted stroked her head. "What have you brought us today," he said. Surprised to find the letter labeled to him specifically, and not the usual "ted and andy" that usually adorned their letters home.

With a smile he remembered the small collection of letters they'd accrued from the twins. There weren't many details, and usually only filled with polite conversation and updates on their marks. But they were kept and filed away like they'd done Dora's letters; he was sure his wife would put them all in a scrap book one day.

He shook his head, clearing his mind from the tangent it'd taken and focused on the letter.

Dear Ted,

I don't know if Professor McGonnagall has written to you, but I've been given a chance to join the Gryffindor quidditch team. And was told to write home for a broom to use. I was hoping you wouldn't mind if I borrowed your old Cleansweep? I promise I"ll take good care of it and return it in the same condition I borrowed it in.

If you can please send your response as soon as you can, McGonnagall said she wants the tryout to be done by friday.

Thank you,

Harry.

Ted jumped to his feet cheering. Pumping his fists in the air as Andy walked into the room, "Ted whats-Oh!" she laughed as he suddenly swept her off her feet, twirling her around the room, "what has gotten into you!" she giggled as she pulled away from him.

"Harry made the quidditch team!" he cheered, making Andy blink.

"...Ted dear, he's a first year student, he can't try out until next year." she reminded him.

"This says otherwise!" Ted proclaimed, handing the letter to her.

Andy's eyebrow raised further as she read, "it says he has the chance to try out." Andy pointed out. "Not that he made the team."

"That's as good as making the team!" Ted objected, "Gryffindor hasn't had any good prospects since Charlie Weasley graduated!"

Andy rolled her eyes, "we can definitely send him one of our brooms, though we should confirm with McGonagall." she said, moving to the fireplace.

"You don't trust Harry? He's not a boy who'd lie about something like this." Ted reminded her.

"You said the same thing about Dora when she said Professor Kettleburn gave her permission to bring that Niffler home." Andy sighed as she took a pinch of floo powder, "and all the same, I'd like to make sure."

"You let one Niffler in the house and suddenly you have to get proof." Ted muttered, grinning sheepishly when ANdy raised an unimpressed eyebrow.

"I still can't find my favorite earrings." Andy said, throwing the floo powder in and calling out "Professor McGonnagall's office!"

WVWVW

Harry sat a bit jittery at the breakfast table, they hadn't been able to sit with their friends today. The glares of Draco Malfoy had kept even Blaise from trodding on the spoiled boy's toes.

Draco had been furious when he found out Harry hadn't been punished for flying without permission. As far as he knew he hadn't even gotten a detention. Just let go with a smack on the wrist.

Harry didn't know how the boy would handle the tryouts, and it didn't occur to him he'd have to handle it himself until he saw Hedwig and two other owls fly into the great hall with a long package between them.

"Is that-" Ron began, quieting down as the package was dropped in front of Harry.

"Let's open it in the common room." Harry told him as he jumped up. Gathering his package and making his way out of the great hall, Ron and Hermione following right behind him. Unaware of the two sets of eyes watching them.

"Are you sure it's okay for you to have that?" Hermione asked skeptically as they went.

"Professor McGonnagall told me to get it." Harry reassured.

"Let's open it here." Ron said eagerly, "you said Ted had an old Cleansweep 5 right? Those were rare!"

Harry paused, then nodded, "just for a second," he added, "I promised Ted the broom would be in the same condition I got it in when I returned it."

They ducked into the trophy room. Harry quickly unwrapped the package and froze when he didn't find the familiar worn cleansweep.

"That's not a cleansweep." Ron whispered for him, surprise and awe coloring his voice as he reached out for the sleek broom, "it's a Slipstream 1099."

"Is that good?" Hermione asked, vocaling Harry's own question.

"Good? This was the best broom on the market before the nimbus!" Ron burst in excitement, "the nimbus is the better all arounder, but the 1099 has the better acceleration of the two. Handlings a bit much from what Charlie said-he got to test fly it in his seventh year-but with how you fly Harry it'll be an asset! But…why did Ted send you this instead of his cleansweep?"

There's a letter here." Hermione said, handing it to Harry.

Dear Harry,

Congratulations on this opportunity! Andy and I are so proud of you!

I hope you don't mind, but we decided to get you your own broom; a milestone like this deserves it after all! Don't worry about any kind of payback or lending situation, this broom is yours for as long as you want it. We hope it helps you nail this try out and every game after.

Enjoy Harry, you've earned it.

Ted and Andy Tonks.

Harry felt a strange feeling well up in his heart, no one save for Lilith had ever gotten him a gift, and those had been along the lines of pretty rocks and extra food.

This broom was different, sleek russet wood with no knots or warps in it's surface, it's bristles were pristine and fresh, coming together in a bit of a swirling point. Glistening nickel plated footrests that he could tell were oiled and balanced for its first flight.

He wanted to do a lot in that moment, send Andy and Ted the longest thank you letter he could write, take the broom for a first time flight-oh how he wished he could do that-maybe go find Lilith to show her.

But all of that went out the window as Draco Malfoy came bursting into the room, making the three jump to their feet.

"Well, well," he sneered, "first years aren't allowed to have brooms at school, I'm sure Professor Snape will love to see this-"

"-Harry has permission to have this broom!" Ron snarled back at him, "So sod off!"

"A likely story-"

"A likely story indeed, Mr. Malfoy."

Draco spun around, surprised to find Professor McGonagall standing right behind him, Lilith peering around the unimpressed professor with a cheshire grin.

"Ah, Mr. Potter." Professor McGonagall said, looking past the thunderstruck Draco to Harry, who was grinning broadly at his turn of luck. "I see you've got a broom, an excellent model as well, It should serve you fine at the tryouts."

"Thank you professor." Harry said.

"Best to get it to your room," she told him as she turned to leave, "and best to mind your own, Mr Malfoy." With that she was gone, leaving the snickering Gryffindors, a reddening Slytherin, and a sly Ravenclaw sliding up to her brother to look at the broom, "Ted sent you this?" she asked in surprise, "it's not the cleansweep."

"It's better!" Ron reassured.

"You think this is funny do you!" Draco snapped before Harry could respond, "you think you're better than everyone? Famous Harry Potter getting to join the quidditch team while the rest of us have to sit on the side lines."

"It's only a tryout." Hermione frowned, "and it was an exception since there's not very many trying to join the team right now."

"It's also none of your business." Lilith added, "you tried to get him in trouble, it failed; slither back to the dungeon before you get hurt."

Draco pulled his wand and Harry Immediately had his own out and pointed at him, he didn't know any spells, but he was sure if he swished it hard enough he could do something.

"Stop it! Both of you!" Hermione demanded, "it's the middle of the school day!"

"I challenge you to a Duel then!" Draco snapped, making Lilith and Harry's eyes widen, "tonight, right here after curfew! We'll settle this!"

"There's nothing to settle-" Harry tried to object, but Ron cut him off, "Harry'll fight you anytime! I'll be his second!"

"Midnight, don't be late!" Draco practically snarled, storming out of the trophy room.

"Sure showed him." Ron said smugly, his grin falling as Lilith rounded on him with a thunderous look.

"Who are you to be accepting anything on my brother's behalf," She snapped, making him shrink back in fear, "least of all a duel!"

"But-" Ron tried to object, but Harry shook his head.

"I don't want to fight Ron," he said pointedly, making the redhead deflate,"I was gonna tell him to shove it."

'And now he has to fight." Lilith griped.

"He doesn't have to do anything!" Hermione objected, "draco's obviously trying to get Harry in trouble-"

"-duels are a matter of honor," Lilith cut her off, "since the challenge has been accepted-on harry's behalf or otherwise-" she shot a venomous glare at Ron, who flinched back guiltily again, "-then he has to show, it's a stain on his honor otherwise."

"What do I care about Honor though?" Harry asked in confusion.

"Of course you'd say that." Lilith sighed, "it's important! I promise," she paused, then smiled, "and Draco probably doesn't know that we know that, we can use that."

"But how?" Hermione asked, "Harry can't use that to simply not show up, Draco's probably counting on that to show how ignorant he is."

"So I've got no choice?" Harry questioned, looking at his sister as she pulled her journal out, flipping through the pages with creased eyebrows.

"There is one way Bill told me about." Ron piped up meekly, rubbing the back of his head.

Lilith glanced at him, "speak." she demanded.

"Please?" Harry added, shooting Lilith a warning glance.

"Well, it's simple really," Ron said, "technically you're not allowed to duel on hogwarts…but Bill said that if I were to ever run into a situation where I get challenged to one to go to Professor Flitwick."

"Professor Flitwick?" Lilith questioned.

"Well yeah," Ron said, looking at her as if it were obvious, "he's crazy about dueling, ran the circuits when he was in school from what Charlie said."

"I doubt Professor Flitwick would approve of a duel." Hermione sniffed.

"Only one way to find out." Harry said, picking his broom up, "let's run this up to the dormitory and then head to his office."

WVWVW

Draco was swaggering towards his dormitory, secure and comfortable in the fact he'd just set up Prince Potter to be caught out of bed by Filch. When Professor Snape came sweeping into the common room.

"Malfoy," he thundered, making the boy jump and whirl around, "follow." he commanded, heading back out the door, Draco quickly following him with a bit of a frightened look.

"Did you challenge Potter to a duel?" Snape demanded to know as soon as they were in the halls.

"How-" he started.

"Yes or no godson." Snape gritted out.

"So what if I did." Draco grumbled defensively.

Snape growled low in his throat, making Draco shift uncomfortably.

"Unlucky for you, Potter was smart enough to go to a teacher. Follow me. Professor Flitwick wants a word with you both, do you have a second?"

"I wasn't planning on showing up." Draco admitted, cheeks flushing as Snape's scowl deepend.

"March." he ordered, and Draco immediately walked forward, any and all cheer he'd felt before was gone. Now replaced by trepidation and worry over just what Flitwick would have them do.