The Letter Comes in

One day, I'm napping in my little room that's actually a closet in the basement, when my foster Mom swings open the door and smacks me with a broom.

"Get up and make breakfast for us," she hollers, I quickly get up and head upstairs to the kitchen. I make breakfast and set the kitchen table.

My foster parents sit down and I serve them breakfast. Foster Dad finishes and leaves for work, while Foster Mom does her infamous morning beating and then heads out shopping.

I do my chores and clean the whole house top to bottom. Then I head out to the mailbox and retrieve the mail, I quickly skim through it and find a letter addressed to me.

I rush inside, organize the rest of the mail, then head down to my room. I carefully open it and see it's an acceptance letter to some academy.

'But I don't remember ever hearing of an academy called Hogwarts,' I think to myself. 'But it's probably better than staying here.'

So, I pack up all my belongings as quickly as I could and steal some money from my foster parents' safe before heading out of the house. I run to the local payphone and call a cab.

I follow the instructions on the letter to a building called The Leaky Cauldron. Once inside, I ask the bartender where Diagon Alley is.

He takes me in the back to a brick wall, where he tapped it three or so times with a short stick that looked like a wand and the bricks start moving. On the other side is an alley full of little shops.

I take a deep breath and walkthrough, I look up ahead and see a dragon perched on top of what looks like a bank.

"Excuse me, Miss," a voice asks from behind, I turn and see a small family, a son walks up to me. "Are you okay, you look lost."

"Well yes, it's my first time here so I have no idea where anything is," I force a laugh. "And I don't know what to do first. I don't have any of the currency this place uses either, so I don't know how I'm going to buy all my supplies."

"Well, how about visiting the bank, they might be able to help," the dad smiles. "By the way, my name's Harry Potter, this next to me is my wife Genny. My sons' James Sirius and Albus Severus, and my daughter Lily Luna."

"It's nice to meet you all, my name's Mahō Kage," I greet, bowing. "Could you please show me where the bank is?"

"It's just over there, Gringotts the name, it's the one with the dragon perched on its roof," Mr. Potter explains, I freeze and slowly turn towards that building in utter fear. "Don't worry, he's actually really nice, he's just security."

"Oh, that's good to know," I sigh with relief. They lead me over and inside, both sides have rows of what looks like goblins, working.

They lead me down the long rows to the very end where I'm guessing the main desk is. Behind the tall desk is an old-looking man but he's definitely not human.

"Hello Mr. Potter," he grunts, looking up from his papers. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"

"Well actually, I'm helping a new friend of mine," Mr. Potter grins, pushing me forward. "She needs some money for supplies."

"Hm, okay," the banker nods. "Please tell me your name dear."

"Mahō Kage," I smile shyly. "It's nice to meet you, sir."

"Potter, where did you find such a well mannered young girl," Mr. Banker questions, suspiciously.

"At the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron," Mr. Potter announces proudly. "Isn't she so polite, she's new to this world."

"Really," Mr. Banker asks, wide-eyed. "Potter, you better take good care of her."

"Of course, now if you could look into getting her some money from my vault, please," Mr. Potter agrees.

"Oh right," Mr. Banker nods, grabbing some papers. "Can you please tell me your name again?"

"Of course sir, my name's Mahō Kage," I smile warmly, then turn to Mr. Potter, bowing. "And thank you very much, Mr. Potter. I really appreciate it."

"Mahō Kage huh," Mr. Banker mumbles, flipping through papers. "All right, how much do you need?"

"Just enough to buy this list of supplies and maybe a little extra, please," I thank, glancing at Mr. Potter for approval, he just nodded his head, handing Mr. Banker the paper of what I need. "That should be enough."

"Alright, follow me to meet Bagrod, he'll help you make an account with us and will discuss some of the rules and such, while I go get the money," he replies, getting down from his chair and I follow him down a long hallway. He enters one and after a few minutes returns and lets me inside, I sit down in the chair placed in front of a desk.

"Greetings Mr. Bagrod, I am here to make an account and put in some money," I smile, he looks me over and nods, pulling out a few papers and hands them to me. I read them over and sign them.

"Would you like to use our new money pouches, they directly connect to your vault and you are the only one who can use it," he states, taking out some pouches from his desk drawer. He takes out a green velvet one with silver strings, a red one with gold stings, and a few others. "They are connected to your magic and blood, so not even your blood relative can withdraw anything from it. It also has a feather-light charm on it as well. Would you like to buy it?"

"Sure, why not, though I don't have any money in it yet, it will be good to have in the future," I agree, smiling, I pick out the one that's brown copper but has golden stings and embroidery. I do all the paperwork and he shows me how to use it and takes me to see my new vault. Saying I should know what belongs to me and all, that's when I put some of the money on me in it. "Thank you so much Mr. Bagrod."

"Goodbye Miss Kage," he waves as I leave and on my way back I meet up with Mr.Banker who hands me a pouch of money from Mr. Potter's vault. Together we go out and meet up with the Potters who are still there at the main banker's desk.

"Did everything go well," Mrs. Potter asks.

"Yup," I beam as we start to leave Gringotts.

"Now what do you want to buy first," James asks, as we exit the bank. "Where do you want to start?"

"Well how about getting a trunk," I reply thoughtfully. "Where can I get that?"

"Just follow us," Mrs. Potter grins, taking my hand and leads me away. She takes me into one of the quaint little shops.

I talk to the owner and buy the trunk he recommends. I have him get it for me in a stained deep redwood will leaf brown trim and have him put a feather-light and level 4 protection and privacy charms on it. It's a bit pricey but I buy it anyway, it has 4 compartments: a wardrobe; a library; a potions station; and storage.

It took him a bit but he got it done, he even gave me a messenger bag for free because of my huge order. He also puts a feather-light and expansion charms on the bag. He shrank the trunk and I attach it to my new bag.

Once that's done we go to a little clothing store and buy a few uniforms in my size, and put them and the rest of my clothes into my new trunk. I put name tags on everything so they don't get lost.

We then head to the owl store called Eeylops Owl Emporium and got me an owl and all the stuff it needs, then we went to a place called Magical Menagerie. Mr. Potter introduces me to one of the employees, Mr. Hockings.

Back behind him, I see an adorable little white wolf pup.

"Is that puppy for sale sir," I ask, pointing at it. "It's really cute."

"Sorry little miss, but that one isn't for sale, I'm just holding it for someone," Mr. Hockings sighs. "I just wish they'd show up already."

"What do you mean, Mr. Hockings," Mrs. Potter asks.

"A man come in about 4-5 months ago and asked me to hold on to it until a girl with a matching crystal necklace to her wolf pup familiar comes in," he explains, bringing the little pup over. "But so far none have come."

"A crystal necklace you say, may I see it," I ask, he takes out the puppy from its cage and hands it to me. I look at its collar and see a small white crystal hanging down. "That looks just like my necklace!"

I pull out my own white crystal necklace out from under my T-shirt and compare the two.

"They're the same, you're the girl I've been waiting for," Mr. Hockings cheers. "You can take it now, the man paid for its snacks and food."

"Wow really, thank you so much Mr. Hockings, but isn't that a bit suspicious, are you sure I can just take this puppy not knowing who purchased her and her things," I question doubtfully, Mr. Hockings just shakes his head saying it was alright, then he takes the puppy's cage and with his wand, shrinks it. He puts it on a keychain and hands it to me, I attached it to my messenger bag, putting the puppy's food and snacks in as well. "Thank you, sir!"

"Don't mention it, kid," he replies. Then we head out and my new little pooper walks alongside me.

"So, what are you going to name it," Lily asks as they lead me to the book store.

"Well, I think I'll name her Yuki," I smile looking down at her and she looks up at me. "Do you like that Yuki?"

"Ruff," she barks happily, wagging her tail.

"I guess she likes it," James laughs. "But how do you know it's a her?"

"Its a girl, can't you tell," I smile, picking Yuki up as we enter the book store. I buy all the books and notebooks I need and put them into my trunk's library.

After that, we go to the wand store that's been making wands since 382 BC! The owner, Garrick Ollivander, an old man with pale white skin, hair, and eyes, is really nice and looks at my magical core, an take my palm measurements. Goes and grabs some long thin boxes, and one by one hands them to me. And each after another destroys something around the dainty little shop.

"Sorry," I apologize, bowing my head as I hand a wand back to him. "I don't think that this is the wand for me."

"That's quite alright my dear," he smiles, looking me over. "Wait, that might just work!"

"Huh," I tilt my head as he runs into the back and returns with a very fancy box.

"Try this wand," he asks, gently opening the box and taking out a beautifully crafted wand. I take it into my hand and try to use it. And a beautiful light shines at the tip. "That's it, that's the one!"

"Thank you, but what were you talking about earlier," I ask.

"Ah~, it was 5 years ago, a woman came in and asked me to make a specific wand with a Grim's whisker and a Willuwa's heart cord made in a cherry wood wand, I never made one before with that combination but I was able to make it and the lady paid a pretty penny for it to be made with all her specifications," he explained. "And I never caught her name, sadly, but she seemed to be a nice lady. She even paid me to hold onto it, not even wanting it herself, just saying the proper owner would come eventually."

"Hm, I guess that makes sense, but still rather shocking," I nod. "Well thank you again for all your help."

I pick up my owl's cage that I had set on the floor for a free hand and we leave.

"Well that certainly was peculiar, that's the second time that has happened," Mr. Potter mumbles deep in thought.

"It is quite peculiar, but please don't fuss too much over it," I ask, putting my new wand away in its very nice holster. "Besides, I should just be happy that I even got them."

"Yeah, she's right," Lily agrees. "Hey I know, since we have two days before the first day, why don't you stay at our house!"

"Really, that would be great! I don't have a place to stay at right now, so I'd really appreciate it," I beam, and so for those two days, I stayed at the Potter's house. Lily helped me organize and go through all my clothes to see what I should take with me and what not to.

Then she throws one of my favorite red skirts into the no pile.

"Hey, that's one of my favorite skirts, what's wrong with it," I ask. "Because that green one on the yes pole is the same one just a different color!"

"It's a bold color and will make pure-blooded girls call you a slut and the boys will reach up it, purebloods are the worse," she replies, sorting more of my clothes. "Purebloods are just like that, and they will try to court you even if you're only a half-blood. If they think you're of a good family or that you have good connections they will try to marry you!"

"Really, are they that bad," I ask, shocked.

"Yeah, I had one try to touch me weirdly and James and Albus beat him up," she nods, and we continue before going to bed.

The next morning I go through all my things to make sure I have everything before heading downstairs and eat breakfast with the Potters.

We get into Mr. Potter's car and he drives us to the train station. We go in and put our stuff onto a cart and walk up to a brick column.

"Uhm, what are we doing here," I ask when Mrs. Potter pushes my cart from behind me and speeds towards the column. I brass for impact, but instead we go right through.

On the other side is a different but very similar train platform.

"Sorry Mahō, I didn't think you'd go through on your own," Mrs. Potter apologizes.

"No, it's okay, I probably wouldn't have," I giggle. "But what is this place?"

"Hogwarts Express, Platform 9 3/4, the train that's about to arrive will take us to the Hogsmeade station which is right outside of Hogwarts," James explains, having come through right after us.

"So you go there too," I beam, Lily and James both nod their heads. "That's great, so I'm guessing you guys are both 2nd years."

"Nope," Lily answers. "James' is a 4th year, while Albus is a 3rd, and I'm a 2nd. But we can still show you around the castle."

"Wow that would be great," I agree, enthusiastically. Then I hear a train puffing out its smoke. "Is that our ride?"

"Indeed," Mr. Potter smiles, as another family comes up to us. "Why hello Ron, Hermione, kids."

"Hey Harry, it's good to see you," the father greets, then spots me. "Who's she?"

"Ah~, that's Mahō Kage, we bumped into her at Diagon Alley," Mrs. Potter explains. "We helped her out because she's new to all this."

"So you're one of the new kids, huh," one of their kids smiles. "It's nice to meet you, my name's Wolly, here next to me is my twin brother Kelly. Those other two are our older sister Rose and our brother Hugo."

"I-it's nice to meet you all," I greet. "My name's Mahō Kage. It's a pleasure meeting you."

"She seems nice," Mrs. Weasley smiles. "Well you better get aboard, don't want to be left behind."

"Oh right," Lily gasps, collecting her things. "Come on Mahō better collect all your things."

"Okay," I agree and I do so, and follow her aboard. We go into a small cabin and put our luggage above us on a shelf.

We sit down as James, Albus, and the Weasley's join us. We wave farewell to the adults as the train started to leave the station.

It's a long journey to wherever we're going and I accidentally fall asleep. When I wake up, I'm resting my head against Lily's shoulder. Yuki lays peacefully on my lap taking a nap, I sit up slowly to keep from waking her.

"Are we almost there," I ask, rubbing my eyes, looking out the window, it's almost sunset. "How much longer do we have?"

"Just another hour or so," James replies, handing me a few sweets.

To keep from getting bored, we talk and play games until a lady knocks on the glass door and opens it.

"10 minutes till arrival, make sure you take everything with you, I won't be coming around twice," she grumbles, shutting the door again. We changed into our robes and I start gathering my things when the train slows to a holt.

"We're here," Lily beams, as we head out of the cabin and off the train. It's dark out.

Then the first years are separated from the rest of the students and we get our first glimpse of the castle. It stands proud atop a mountain surrounded by a large lake. The windows glisten in the light of the stars. We're then put into small boats, 4 per boat. At the front of the boat is a lantern.

We push off the small port and start heading across the great lake. All the boats are lead by their magical lanterns.

Something rocks the boat and I cling onto the sides.

"S-sorry madams," I swallow hard, apologizing to the other 3 passengers. "It's my first time on a boat."

They just ignore me and I slightly stretch my left hand out. Then I feel something wet on it, I look and see a beautiful bouquet of white, soaking wet, flowers, tied together by seaweed. "Wow, aren't they pretty."

I lean over the edge slightly and see a butch of merpeople and other sea creatures.

"Thanks for the flowers," I smile, then lean back in.

"Hey, can I have a look at those flowers please," the girl next to me asks, I nod and she examines them. "They look like white calimas, it's said that they only grow in the very depths of the sea. It is known for being a rare ingredient for certain potions and its beauty. The merpeople must have gone to great lengths just to give them to you."

"Yeah, aren't they so nice," I beam, then more flowers start falling from the sky. I look up to see birds and other flying creatures dropping them from above. "It's like they're welcoming us!"

Some small birds carry a braided flower crown over and place it on my head.

"Thank you so much, little ones, it is beautiful," I smile happily, waving as they fly away. "They're all so nice!"

I hold my bouquet close and take in the delicate fragrance.

We duck under some vines covering the hidden entrance, we dock at an underground port directly under the castle. We gather our things and head up the stone stair and are lead to a small room near the Grand Hall.

A lady with dark hair and dark green robes, who tells us her name's Professor McGonagall. She explains what's going to happen and then leaves. A few minutes later, a shriek is let out by someone and everyone looks up to see a bunch of ghosts floating above us. I nearly shrieked myself but my voice couldn't come out from the fright. So after they left, Pr. McGonagall comes back and leads us in a single file line out of the tight room into the Grand Hall.

In the large hall, there are 4 long rows of tables, each has a big banner floating above it. Along with floating candles.

We walk all the way to the front of the room where a long table is with all the professors. Professor McGonagall moves a 4 legged stool in front of the first in line. Then she places a very old wrinkly witches hat on it.

Slowly it comes to life and sings a little song, and after that Professor McGonagall starts calling names. When it is my turn I sit down and the hat is placed atop my head.

"Hm, you have a lot of potential kid," it says in my head. "Say, where would you prefer to go?"

"Well, I would prefer to go to Gryffindor," I reply in though. "But then again it is completely your choice Mr. Sorting Hat, sir."

"Hm~, that would be the best choice, mhm, okay you can go there," he agrees, then announces. "Gryffindor!"

The Gryffindor table cheers, Mr. Sorting Hat is lifted off my head and I stand up and bow to him. Then I go down the short stairs and grab my bouquet and messenger bag.

Then I head over to my new house table and take a seat next to James. I set my bouquet inside my bag and have Yuki sit on my lap.

Once everyone has been sorted out we have a short greeting from the director and we sing the school's weird anthem. Then we are allowed to start eating. I was starving, I eat everything on my plate, while of course sharing with Yuki.

"Wow, you must have been hungry," Rose giggles from acrossed the table. "Didn't you eat anything today?"

"Of course I did, I'm hungry from the long train ride," I reply, grinning.

"Probably doesn't need any with how fat she is," a boy farther down the table snickers. His buddies laugh, James and the twins look like they're going to pummel them.

"Please stop, you don't have to worry about it," I try to calm them and myself down. "It's not worth losing house points, is it? Besides, he's our fellow housemate, it's best if you try to get along."

"But," James frowns, but the messenger owls start flying down with letters. I take mine and open it up, it's my room number and key, along with my schedule.

"I better start going, so I can check my room out," I force a laugh, Yuki jumping off my lap as I stand up. "See you guys in the morning."

I walk out of the hall and as soon as I can tell no ones around I crouch down and start crying. I hear a noise behind me and I straighten up and wipe away my tears.

"Are you okay," an unfamiliar voice asks, I turn and see a tall Slytherin boy standing there.

"Yes, of course, just a little lost," I laugh, trying to hide the fact that I was crying. "Do you know where the Gryffindor's main room is?"

"I do, but I can tell you really aren't alright, and I heard you crying," he walks over to me. "Can you tell me what's wrong."

"But aren't you a Slytherin, I heard you guys don't like helping other people other than your own," I tilt my head on the verge of tears. "Why would you help me a Gryffindor?"

"Maybe because I don't like seeing a girl cry," he replies. "It's the gentleman in me."

"W-well, one of my housemates called me fat," I mumble, not looking him in the eye. "I tried not to cry because I'm used to being called names."

"But it still gave you a major blow, huh," the Slytherin nods. "Well for 1, he was definitely lying, you're not overweight. And 2, you shouldn't let him do that, he's walking all over you!"

"Th-thank you for making me feel better," I smile. "By the way, I didn't catch your name."

"Liam Malfoy, I'm a 4th year," he greets, smiling back. "And you're Mahō Kage right?"

"Yeah, that's me," I giggle, we continue to chat while he shows me to my lounge. "Thank you so much for helping me."

"Your welcome Mahō," he waves. "Bye, see you tomorrow."

"Bye," I wave heading inside with Yuki following me. I find my room and notice that I have my own room. Then I remember I was the only girl put into Gryffindor this year.

I start unpacking my things and organize them to my liking. Once done I open up my window, I feel a nice cold breeze coming in.

I close the window back up and gather my stuff to go to the girl's bathroom. When I return I go start to bed.