PART ONE

Chapter 1: The Hogwarts Letter

July, Pre-Hogwarts

I heard Santana scream as I jumped. The air rushed by me, the wind roaring in my ears until I landed with a loud splash in the lake below. The water surrounded me, pressing in on all sides, but I kicked up until I broke through the surface, laughing and pushing wet hair out of my face.

"You h-have to come in!" I called to the girl who had been my best friend as far back as I could remember. She was staring down from the grassy bank above me, shaking her head. My teeth were chattering already from the chill of the water, but I didn't care. The thrill of the jump still had adrenaline racing through me.

"Britt, my mamá's gonna kill me," she whined, glancing back over her shoulder before staring down at me again longingly. I knew she wanted to come in, so I was going to help her do what she wanted. I also knew that in a few hours she would lie to her mother and say it had been all her idea so that I wouldn't get in trouble. I never asked her to, but she said she needed to so that her mamá wouldn't think I was a bad influence, or something like that. It made me feel a bit guilty sometimes, but she wouldn't stop even if I asked.

"Santana, c-come on! It's warm!"

"Liar!" she called back, but she was already pulling off her shoes with an excited but nervous grin. I treaded water as I waited for her, and a few seconds later she had launched herself off the bank, curling up into a cannonball just in time before she hit the surface of the lake, splashing water all over me. I gasped in shock - which was a bad idea because the water all went in my mouth and made me choke - but the moment she appeared from beneath the water I had recovered enough to push water towards her, spraying her in turn. She was shivering just like I was; July had not produced the pleasant weather it should. Above us was a grey, cloudy sky that suggested approaching rain. But never mind, we were already soaking.

"I-it's f-freezing!" she complained, wrapping her arms around herself and kicking her feet in the water to stay afloat, just like I was doing.

"W-we just gotta warm up," I laughed, turning my head to peer across the water. "Look, I'll race to you that t-tree! Go!" I shouted without any more warning, setting off desperately to try and get a head start.

"Cheater!" I heard her accuse behind me as she tried to catch up, but I kept looking forward at the tree. Santana's said that it's okay to ignore rules sometimes, so she really couldn't complain. It didn't matter, though - within a few seconds she was level with me, then overtaking. I've never won a swimming race against Santana, and apparently I still can't even when I bend the rules a bit. She was hanging onto the tree branch hovering above the water when I reached her, swinging back and forth and splashing water at me with her foot as I arrived.

"Swimming - against you - isn't fair," I panted, pulling myself up to the tree branch as well and scrambling to sit on it, one leg on either side.

"Life isn't fair, Britt-Britt," she replied, smiling sweetly as she swung herself up to sit next to me. I pouted, but seeing that she was still shivering I shuffled closer to wrap my arms tightly around her, smiling when she leaned into me and rested her head on my shoulder.

"Has… has your Hogwarts letter arrived yet?" I asked quietly, kind of nervous about what her response might be. She just sighed though, and lifted her head to look at me properly.

"You don't think I'm going to tell you the minute it arrives? I don't get why you're so worried, your mum's a witch. And all her family."

"But my dad isn't and surely that means it's only half a chance I'm a witch as well. What if I have to stay here while you go to Hogwarts without me? Who am I going to play with then?"

"Magic blood doesn't work like that, I've told you."

She had told me, several times, but as much as I wanted to believe her I was still worried. I got confused by a lot of things, but I understood maths, and one magical parent plus one non-magical parent must equal only half a chance of me being magical too. Why did it have to be this year that the pixies got into the post room and delayed all the letters? I was already so nervous, and waiting longer just made it worse!

"We're going to Hogwarts together, and we'll be in the same house and get to sleep next to each other all the time. It'll be like having a sleepover every night!" I frowned, staring down at the tree in concern as I imagined long days without Santana. "Look, Britt. Look at me," she instructed, lifting my face gently with two fingers under my chin. "If you don't get to go to Hogwarts, then I'm not going either. I'll write to them, and say that if they don't let you in then I'm staying here. I'm not going to leave you behind, okay?"

I nodded, smiling a little even though I wasn't sure she could actually do that. She grinned back in response, leaning forward to hug me tightly. The sudden movement knocked me off balance, and before I knew what was happening we were both tumbling into the water once again.

The owl had been knocking at my window for a good ten minutes, not caring that I was trying to sleep nor that it was 8.30am and I hadn't closed my eyes until well after midnight. One minute I was excited about Hogwarts, and the next I was terrified I might not be going. Without Santana right next to me, telling me it would be okay, it was hard to believe.

"Go away," I mumbled, squinting through the dim light of my room. Suddenly recognising that particular bird, I tumbled out of bed and pulled open the window with a grunt. Pato, Santana's eagle owl she had received for her birthday earlier that year, hopped through immediately, dropping the letter to the floor and pecking the side of my head as I bent to pick it up. He had never been a very friendly bird. Most animals were great listeners, but if you tried talking to Pato for any decent amount of time he just flew off. This time he was waiting, although he did look bored out of his mind, which must mean Santana had ordered him to stay until he had a reply. Flicking the light switch on I tore open the envelope, squinting at the note as my eyes got used to the brightness.

It's letter day! We're going to Hogwarts, Britt! Mamá said we can go to Diagon Alley this afternoon and you have to come, we can get all our stuff together. Send Pato back saying what time. Mamá told me to tell you that your family can come too.

Santana x

My heart was racing as I looked up at my window, desperately searching for another owl. I had been right, all along. I'd listened to Santana and my mum and let myself think it would all be fine, but the day had come and there was no Hogwarts letter here for me.

"Mum!" I bellowed, barrelling out of my room with tears already forming as I raced downstairs. This couldn't be happening, it couldn't. Santana couldn't leave me! I couldn't remember a time when she hadn't lived just down the road, and now she was going to learn magic and I was stuck here! "Mum!" I shouted again, shoving the door open to the kitchen and just avoiding hitting my little sister Chloe in the face with it. Tears were streaming down my face as I contemplated life without Santana. My mum looked up in surprise from where she was buttering toast.

"Honey, what is it?" she asked in concern, hurrying over to wrap her arms around me. I buried my face into her as I tried to explain through my tears.

"S-Santana got her l-letter but I didn't get mine and sh-she's going to leave me for Hogwarts!" I sniffled. Santana's parents wouldn't let her stay here just for me, I knew that. Hearing a chuckle, I moved my head to stare up at her in shock. How could she not understand how serious this was? "Mum, I'm not magic!" I wailed.

She shuffled as best she could with me still wrapped around her so that we were next to the kitchen table, where she picked up a stiff envelope and handed it to me.

"It arrived about half an hour ago."

I stared up at her in shock, wiping at my cheeks. "Why didn't you come get me?" I demanded, grabbing the the envelope and ripping it open to reveal an official letter written in green ink.

Dear Miss Pierce,

We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.

Yours sincerely,

Susan Sylvester
Deputy Headmistress

Lifting the page I found another sheet of parchment listing everything I would need for the school year. Grinning, I looked up to my mum again to see her smiling down proudly at me.

"Congratulations, Brittany."

The moment we finished eating lunch I rushed up to my room to get ready for our trip. I had been to Diagon Alley before, of course, but this time it was different. Normally we never went at this time of year because it was so crowded, but this time we had no choice because me and Santana were going to Hogwarts! The excitement bubbled up inside me as I grabbed my coat, money and the letter that had been placed carefully on top of my desk, then ran back downstairs.

"I'm ready!" I announced with a grin, which dropped a little when I saw that no-one else had even moved from the table yet. "Hurry up, all the good stuff will be gone!" I moaned, hopping from one foot to the other. I couldn't stay still, I was just so excited. My dad was at work, but mum and Chloe were both coming.

"Brittany, we are not due at the Lopez's for another hour. You will just have to be patient," my mum told me sternly.

"Yeah Britt, patience!" Chloe piped up. I stuck my tongue out at her and slumped down in the chair opposite her, my fingers tapping out a tune on the table. My feet danced along with the rhythm as I looked from my mum to Chloe and then back again, waiting for one of them to make a move. Mum's said I have about as much patience as a grasshopper with ADHD. I was pretty sure that meant I didn't have any. I fidgeted, stilling when mum raised an eyebrow at me, but a minute later I had that urge to move again. Sitting here just waiting was impossible!

"Fine, you can go there now!" my mum exclaimed just as I opened my mouth to ask. "But you stay out of Mrs. Lopez's way until it's time to go, do you understand?"

"Yes mum!" I shouted over my shoulder, already out of the door. I sprinted down the street, running as fast as I possibly could. Halfway there I realised I'd forgotten to put shoes on, but I knew my mum would bring them over later so I didn't bother stopping. My heart pounded and I was breathing hard by the time I made it to Santana's house. It was much bigger than ours - much bigger than any of the houses on the street, actually - and the front garden was perfectly arranged. Our garden had weeds and toys and a creaky gate, but I always felt like I had to tiptoe through their garden so I wouldn't break anything. I raised my hand to knock firmly on the door, readjusting my coat under my arm and making sure I still had my Hogwarts letter safe. The door opened, and I smiled up at Mrs. Lopez. She was dressed just as smartly as her garden was even though I knew she wasn't working today. I couldn't think of a time that I'd seen Mrs. Lopez wearing normal, comfy clothes.

"Brittany, you're early," she commented. She didn't sound very happy, but then she never did.

"Mum said I could see Santana so long as I promised not to annoy you. So I promise not to annoy you, and I won't keep asking when we can go," I assured her. She nodded, reluctantly stepping to the side to let me in. Normally I had to take off my shoes before going anywhere in the Lopez house, but since I had forgotten them I just peeled off my dirty socks instead, laying them neatly to one side before running up the stairs.

"Santana, I'm here!" I announced, pushing open her door without knocking and jumping onto her bed. She squealed in shock and rolled off the other side, landing heavily with a loud bump on the floor and making me burst into a fit of giggles.

"Santana, calm down!" her mum shouted from downstairs.

"Sorry, mamá!" she called back, climbing back up with a grin and attacking me with a hug, pinning me down to the bed. "I told you there was nothing to worry about!" she whispered fiercely in my ear.

"You were right, you're always right," I replied happily, wrapping my arms around her and breathing her in. She always smelled so nice, like flowers. When I asked before she said it was just her shampoo, but I'm certain it must be her at least a little bit. My shampoo doesn't make me smell that nice.

With Santana, the hour we had to wait passed as if we hadn't had to wait at all. It was always like that with her. Time wouldn't seem like it was moving at all, but then I'd look at a clock and hours would have disappeared. Hearing Chloe's voice downstairs I jumped up from her bed, pulling her with me.

"They're here, we can go, we can go!" I exclaimed, only waiting a moment for her to pick up her own things before yanking her by the arm. We ran down the stairs together to find Mrs. Lopez already preparing the floo powder and my mum and sister standing by the fireplace. Santana's brother Tony was also there, muttering under his breath that he wanted to go to Hogwarts too.

"Brittany, I brought your shoes," my mum told me, handing them out. "Try not to forget them next time."

I pulled them on without worrying about my socks - it just gave me an excuse to come back later if I left them by the door - and took Santana's offered little finger with mine, squeezing it in excitement. This was it. We were going to get our robes, our books, our cauldrons - our wands. The thought of that made me squeal under my breath.

"Remember not to let go until you're at the other side," my mum instructed, looking worried as Santana took a fistful of the powder. We grinned at each other. Let go? That was never going to happen. I stepped into the fireplace next to Santana, glad they had a big enough one that we could still travel together, and as she threw the powder to the floor we shouted out together.

"Diagon Alley!"

I didn't understand why my mum would never let us come to Diagon Alley when it was busy. It was amazing when it was busy, even better than normal. Everywhere I looked there were Hogwarts kids and their parents, with owls flying above and even one or two goblins struggling through the crowds. Everyone rushing past meant I had to hold Santana's hand properly instead of just her little finger like normal, but that was okay. Behind I could hear mum shouting where to go next, but before I could turn to ask what she said Santana was pulling on my hand, drawing me through the crowd to where a group of other kids our age were standing. I recognised a couple of them immediately from the annual Ministry Christmas parties Mrs. Lopez was invited to, which Santana refused to attend without me. Puck and Quinn I knew the best, but there was also the really tall boy called Finn who sometimes went with Puck. Behind them were two other boys I didn't know, but who were big and bulky and looked like they stamped on insects for fun.

"Puck, what the hell did you do to your hair?" Santana demanded, staring up at his partly-shaven head. She dropped my hand the moment we cleared the crowd, and I felt sad for a moment before she relinked our little fingers.

Puck ran a hand over the strip of hair still remaining. "It's called a mohawk, hun," he grinned proudly. "Gotta show those other first years who's boss."

I tilted my head, staring at the strange hairstyle. I'd never seen anything like it before. "You kinda look like a badger…" I thought aloud, remembering the one that came into our garden sometimes and the white stripe on its head. Santana snorted with laughter, and Puck looked like he wasn't sure if I was insulting him or not. I got that look from people a lot when I said whatever popped into my head, but Santana always said I shouldn't worry about what other people thought.

"What is that girl wearing?" another voice piped up. I turned to see Quinn staring across the street at a small brunette girl, holding hands with a man who must be her dad. She had on a long, bright red, glittery skirt with a black-and-white striped shirt

"Oh god, she looks like a first year too…" Santana replied with a roll of her eyes. "Hufflepuff, for sure."

"Puck, you have to talk to her! She's a badger as well! You're like… soulmates!" I enthused, bouncing on the balls of my feet as I turned to him. Two people starting school the same year, both looking like badgers and on the same street at the same time, it had to be fate! My face fell when the others burst into laughter at my statement - everyone except Santana, who glared at them and gripped my finger tighter.

"Laugh if you want Puck, but we all know you don't have the game to get any girl, even that one," she said sharply. "See you around, losers," she called as she pulled me away and back into the crowd. Her hand find mine again and held it properly, squeezing reassuringly, and my uncertainty at being laughed at faded away. I didn't quite understand what Santana had said either - what did playing games have to do with girls? - but that didn't matter.

"Santana, ven aquí!" a sharp voice snapped from one side. We turned at the same time to see Mrs. Lopez glaring in our direction from the doorway to Ollivanders. I sent an excited grin at Santana which she returned, and we hurried over together to the wand shop. "You know not to wander off, girls, we have lots to do. Brittany, your mother will be here soon, but I have the money to get your wand," Mrs. Lopez told me as she ushered us into the queue. I was a little disappointed that my mum wouldn't be there to watch me try wands, but was soon distracted as I turned to see piles and piles of boxes of wands, stacked way above my head and far down the narrow hallway of the shop. One of the shop assistants came over looking stressed, and almost immediately Santana had a wand in her hand and was trying it. I looked on excitedly, but nothing happened. The next one was more exciting - the moment she had it in her hand, a bang went off and smoke suddenly appeared.

"That was amazing! You should get that one!" I exclaimed, hanging onto her arm and peering at the wand. It was swiped from her hand almost immediately though by the nervous-looking shop assistant. Another assistant approached, and as much as I wanted to watch Santana it was my turn to start trying wands.

A broken chair, a nasty smell and a dead plant later, we were paying at the counter for the new wands we both clutched in our hands. Santana's was a twelve inch hawthorn with dragon heartstring, and mine was eleven inch cedar with unicorn hair. I wished my mum would hurry up and come back though - I wanted to try and start doing spells from the books we'd bought earlier! I got my wish when as soon as we stepped outside I saw Chloe jumping up and down the steps with Tony, and my mum waiting with a large basket in her hand and a wide smile.

"I got you a going away present, Brittany," she said, lifting the basket so I could peer inside. Two big, yellow eyes peered back at me, surrounded by bright ginger hair and a pink nose.

"Thank you thank you thank you!" I shouted, jumping up to wrap my arms around her neck. I'd been wanting a pet for so long now, ever since Santana got Pato and our old cat had died, and now I had my very own cat! I could probably even train him to carry letters for me like owls could! I released her and dropped to my knees, poking one finger through the mesh to stroke the cat's soft ears. Everything suddenly crashed down on me at once - that I was going to Hogwarts, that I was going to be away from mum and dad and Chloe. Before I even had the chance to get upset though, Santana was kneeling next to me, her arm wrapping around my shoulders as she peered at my new cat and whispered in my ear.

"Me and you at Hogwarts, Britt. It's gonna be amazing."

So, a bit of an introduction to this story. This is the start of my most ambitious fic yet – taking the Brittana story and placing it in the setting of Hogwarts. Some storylines will be similar to the ones on Glee, but this is an original fic. The story will cover the whole of their time at Hogwarts and is split into three parts that mostly cover their 1st, 5th and 7th years from both of their points of view.

Put youtube. before this for a playlist: com/playlist?list=PL6F7FB38F7531EFB7

...and trailer: com/watch?v=q2L4cpp1iz8

If you have any questions, want to know progress on future chapters or for drawings/excerpts I'll sometimes post while writing check out my tumblr (laurasfantasia . tumblr . com - remove spaces).

Note 15 Oct '12: I'm currently in the process of creating a PDF of this story, and I'm updating these chapters with the edited versions as and when they are ready. PM me/send me an ask on tumblr if you want to know progress on the PDF.