CHAPTER 1: NEW BEGINNINGS
Sabrina Spellman, daughter of the late High Priest of the Church of Night in Greendale, was now unpacking her personal belongings in her new home in London, England. She and her two aunts, Hilda and Zelda, had moved their business called Spellman Mortuary, to England which was Hilda's home country. Sabrina was not sure how her new life in another country would work out with her being a half-witch, but she was very happy to no longer attend the Academy of Unseen Arts and have to deal with Prudence and her two sisters at the Academy anymore.
For right now, Sabrina was happy with her new bedroom and her familiar, a black cat named Salem, was laying on her bed. "Well, Salem," she said while stroking the cat's black fur, "we're home now. No more Academy or covens...just a normal life in good old England." Salem yawned and closed his eyes. "Besides, I don't know of a magical school anywhere in England, so I might check out some of the normal schools here."
Hogwarts
Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, was reading the book that showed names of students who would be attending ths school. He stopped at the name Spellman and smiled. Severus Snape entered the headmaster's office to report on Lord Voldemor'ts plans. "Ah, Severus," said Dumbledore smiling, "your timing is most opportune." Severus, though he did not show it, was confused. "It appears we will be having a new student attending Hogwarts this year. She is from America but has moved to London a few days ago. I need you to invite her to attend Hogwarts."
"Why can't you do it, Albus?" Severus asked. "Why have me do it?"
"I have a hunch that Miss Spellman will be more accepting of you," said Dumbledore calmly. "Now, I would suggest Apparating to the Spellman residence soon before Miss Spellman has a chance to find another school to attend." Severus was about to walk away but stopped when Dumbledore added, "I also have a hunch that she will be hard-headed, Severus, so do try and keep your temper."
"I will try my best," Severus said. He walked through the grounds of Hogwarts toward the gates and Disapparated.
Spellman Residence
Sabrina was sitting in the living room with her aunts when she heard a knock at the door. "I'll get it!" she said and opened the front door. She stepped back when she saw a stern-looking man wearing a long black robe on the threshold. He had a hooked nose, black eyes and shoulder-length black hair. "Um, can I help you?" she asked.
"I'm looking for Sabrina Spellman," said the man. Sabrina could tell that he was not a person to take lightly.
"I'm Sabrina Spellman," she said and led him inside. "Can I offer you something to drink, Mr..."
"You will address me as 'Professor Snape' or 'sir'," said the man, "and a cup of tea woud be nice. I've had a long trip."
Sabrina went to the kitchen and came back with a cup of tea. "So, what can I do for you, Professor Snape?"
"You, Miss Spellman, have been invited to attend the school that I teach at." Snape explained. "It is called Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There, you will learn how to control your magic and will be taught different subjects about magic. I teach Potions."
"Cool," said Sabrina. "When does school start and what do I need for supplies?" She took the envelope Severus handed her and read the letter along with the list of supplies she would need for the school year. "Okay, but there is one tiny problem, sir," she said. "I don't have the money to buy these things."
Severus handed her a leather bag full of coins. "This should cover the cost of your supplies," he said. "The headmaster figured you wouldn't have an account at Gringotts, so he asked me to give you this. There should be at least two hundred Galleons, eighty-five Sickles and fifty Knuts here to pay for your supplies. Don't spend it all in one place." He gave her the smallest of grins. "Term starts on September first. You will catch the train at King's Cross Station at eleven o'clock that morning. Your ticket is in the envelope and yes, Miss Spellman, Platform Nine and Three-Quarters does exist."
After giving her the envelope, he also offered to take her shopping in Diagon Alley so she could have her supplies early. "Term doesn't start for another few weeks, but I believe it would be a good idea to have everything now and I would have to tutor you in the first four years of your schooling," he explained. "Would you like that?"
"Yes, that would be fine," said Sabrina smiling at him. "Why don't you explain what's going on to Aunt Hilda and Zelda and then we can go?" Severus nodded and she led him to the sitting room where her aunts were. "Aunt Hilda, Aunt Zelda, this is Professor Snape, a teacher at a school called Hogwarts. Apparently, I've been invited to attend the school to learn more about magic."
"Well," said Zelda, "I, for one, have no objections to you going to school for magic. I just hope you'll focus on your education rather than goofing off or finding some boy you can make out with while you're there." Sabrina scowled but nodded. "Good. Now, will she be coming home every day, Professor, or is this more like a boarding school?"
"Hogwarts is a boarding school," Severus explained. "I understand that you do not use wands to channel your magic." Zelda nodded. "In order to attend Hogarts, Sabrina is required to have a wand. I wll be taking her to the Wizarding shopping center called Diagon Alley for her to purchase her supplies. I will also be bringing her up to speed on the first four years of education so she can be caught up with the rest of her classmates. Normally, students attend Hogwarts at the age of eleven, but seeing as she is entering fifth year, she will need to catch up." He looked at Sabrina and added, "Unless you think you can manage without tutoring, Miss Spellman?"
Sabrina took a moment to think and said, "If I decline your offer to tutor me, will I be able to ask you any questions if I have any later on?" Severus nodded. "Okay, then I'll hold off on the tutoring for now." Severus nodded and she followed him to the front door where he offered her his arm. "Why do you want me to hold onto your arm, sir?"
"We will be Apparating to Diagon Alley," he told her. "Hold onto my arm and do not let go." Sabrina did as asked and she felt as if she were stuffed into a thin rubber tube. When the feeling subsided, she gasped for air. "Congratulations, Sabrina, you have just Apparated for the first time." He gave her a small smile. "I'm actually surprised that you haven't vomited yet. Most people would vomit on their first Apparition."
"I guess I have a strong stomach, sir," she said grinning and looked at the list of supplies. "I think we should get my wand first." Severus nodded and led her to a shop called Ollivander's Wand Shop and went inside. Sabrina was greeted by an elderly man who owned the shop. "Hi," she said sweetly, "I'm Sabrina Spellman. I need a wand." She leaned toward him and added in a whisper, "I'm starting Hogwarts this year."
Mr. Ollivander nodded and said, "Very well, Sabrina. Give me your arm and I'll make some measurements." She held out her right arm and he used a measuring tape to measure her arm and he placed a small stack of long, narrow boxes. He opened one and handed her a wooden wand. "Try this one."
Sabrina took the wand and gave it a wave. Several boxes flew off the shelf behind Ollivander. "No, not that one," he said and took it away from her and replaced it with another one. "Try this one. Willow and Dragon heartstring, twelve and a quarter inches long." Sabrina flicked it and Severus's robes caught fire. "Well, that one is definitely not the one for you...let's see...how about this one? Cherry and unicorn hair, eleven and a half inches." Sabrina waved that one and shot a jet of water in Severus's face.
"Oops," she said stifling a laugh, "sorry Professor." Severus dried his face with a flick of his wand. The next wand she tried was blackthorn and dragon heartstring measuring ten and three quarter inches long. Sabrina waved it and felt warmth at her fingertips and watched as green and gold sparks showered her.
"Very good!" Ollivander said happily. "The wand chooses the wizard, Miss Spellman, and it looks like the wand has chosen you. That will be twelve Galleons." She handed him the money, thanked the owner and followed Severus to their next destination: Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.
After all of her shopping was done, Sabrina entered her house and showed her aunts the items she had purchased and told them about her trip to Diagon Alley. "It was so much fun! I've never seen so much stuff before! I mean, I was very tempted to buy my own broomstick, but I don't think Professor Dumbledore would be very happy if I spent too much money on a broom." Aunt Hilda laughed. "I think I'll get a head start on my books so I don't have to do much to catch up with my other classmates." Sabrina went to her room and started to read her textbooks. The first one she opened was The Standard Book of Spells: Grade 5. "Well, Salem, these spells are pretty interesting. I'm not sure what to think about Defensive Magical Theory because it shows nothing in here about using spells."
Salem looked up and actually spoke. "I believe whoever is teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts class doesn't want any students learning how to use the spells needed, Sabrina." She nodded. "So, will I be able to go with you? I am your protector, after all."
"Yes, you can come with me," said Sabrina scratching him affectionately behind the ears. "According to my school supply list, students can have a choice of an owl, a cat or a toad. Since you are technically my cat, you are my pet, so you'll be coming with me. Just make sure to speak when no one else is around or something, okay?"
Salem stretched out on her bed and said, "Maybe you can explain to your friends that I can talk?" She shrugged. "I mean, this is a magical school, Sabrina. I'm sure there are a lot of talking animals there."
"Severus told me that there are four Houses at Hogwarts. Each has their own traits. Gryffindors are brave, Hufflepuffs are loyal, Ravenclaws are smart and have a desire to learn and Slytherins are cunning and determined. I wonder which House I'll get sorted into." Salem asked what House she wanted to be in and Sabrina said, "It doesn't work that way. The Sorting Hat tells you what House you'll be in according to Professor Snape. I don't think it really matters what House I want to be in." Even though she said it, Sabrina was really nervous to find out which House she would be sorted into and if she'd make any friends there.