Author's Notes

Just to let everyone know before they begin reading, this was written a year in advance to the publication of the seventh and final Harry Potter book. Some events that happened in the seventh book should be disregarded when reading this story. This story should be considered an AU.

I hope that everyone enjoys reading this story. I would very much appreciate reviews that give me constructive criticism. There will, hopefully, be six more stories dealing with these characters after this one. If anyone notices anything that deals with the original books (except for the seventh one) that I got wrong, please mention it in a review and I will try to get it fixed.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story! It took little over a year to complete the entire thing. It was originally written in Arial, Size 11 (not including Chapter titles) and took up 319 pages on my OpenOffice Writer.

Extra Note: I decided to rewrite this chapter because the first draft seemed too much like the original Harry Potter book. Hopefully, this new version will come out smoother than the first draft. It's my first time actually trying to rewrite something I've already written for a story, and it turns out I enjoyed rewriting it. Now it's got more of its own plot to it.

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Summary

Amber Hutchingson used to think she was a normal girl, until she finds out she is a witch on her eleventh birthday. At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Amber easily makes herself friends and enemies. When Amber's Muggle parents are murdered by magic, Amber's adventure really begins. Amber soon learns of something that happened in her past that has been kept hidden from her for the past ten years. Along with this new found past, Amber and her friends begin to realize that they can do things that would seem abnormal even by wizard standard. Will she be able to cope with the events that are leading up to an encounter that could possibly mean Amber's life or death? Will she perish at the hands of the second most powerful wizard in history? Read and find out!

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Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I do own any characters made up for the purpose of this story. Please do not use them.

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Chapter One

The Letter

Amber Jane Hutchingson was Muggleborn. Both of her parents families had no magic in them at all. One can imagine their surprise when Amber received a letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on her eleventh birthday, three months before September first. What had started out as a pleasant day was rudely interrupted when a tawny owl came swooping out of the fireplace with a letter clamped tightly in its beak.

"It's getting soot everywhere!" Samantha Hutchingson, Amber's mother, cried.

The owl dropped the letter in Amber's lap. With a solitary hoot, it flew back up the chimney, leaving behind a confused family of three.

Harold Hutchingson, Amber's father, was flabbergasted and didn't know what to say. Mrs. Hutchingson, however, jumped to her feet and walked over to her daughter.

"What is it, Amber?" she wondered, brushing soot off the blue chintz chair Amber was occupying.

Amber, with trembling fingers, lifted the letter and read aloud,

"Miss Amber Hutchingson, Number 3, Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey," Amber's golden-hazel eyes glanced up at her mother. "It's for me!"

"Who would be sending you a letter by owl?" her father stood up and joined his wife by their daughter's chair. "And on your birthday, too."

"Can I open it?" Amber was now bouncing with excitement, her curling-iron made, dark brown curls jerking.

"Of course you can open it!" her father chuckled. "It is addressed to you, isn't it?"

Without hesitation, Amber ripped open the letter and pulled out a packet of parchment. Reading aloud the contents of the letter, her voice rose in pitch.

"HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmistress: Minerva McGonagall

"Dear Miss Hutchingson,

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

Term begins on September 1. Seeing as you are Muggleborn, someone will arrive at your residence on August 25 to help you purchase your necessary books and equipment.

Yours Sincerely,

Professor Lovegood

Professor Lovegood

Deputy Headmistress."

Amber quickly turned to the next page and read off the list there.

"UNIFORM:

First year students will require:

1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)

2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear

3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)

Please note that all pupils' clothing should carry name tags

COURSE BOOKS

All students should have a copy of the following:

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)

by Miranda Goshawk

A History of Magic

by Bathilda Bagshot

A Look into Magical Theory

by Lilleno Watcher

A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration

by Emeric Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi

by Phyllida Spore

Magical Drafts and Potions

by Arsenius Jigger

The Dark Arts: The Basics

by Riann Rutherford

OTHER EQUIPMENT

1 Wand

1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)

1 set glass or crystal phials

1 telescope

1 set brass scales

Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS."

"What is all this?" Mr. Hutchingson wondered aloud, scratching his neck the way he did when he was mystified. "It seems like a joke. Not allowed their own broomsticks?"

"This is an awfully big joke, if it is one," his wife answered.

"I don't think it's a joke!" Amber stated, getting to her feet. A vivid smile spread across her face. "I think this means I'm a witch!"

Her mother's face went pale.

"How are you so sure about that?" her father looked at her sternly. "There's no such thing!"

Amber pointed at the letter, which was written in green, scrawly handwriting. "It says right here I've been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Doesn't that mean I have to be a witch to go there?"

"This place may not even be real, honey," Amber's mother put a hand on her shoulder. "Are you sure one of your friends is not playing a prank on you?"

Amber shook her head. One thing her parents did not know was that Amber didn't have any friends. All of the students at her elementary school thought she was weird. Amber had never been all too sure they were wrong. Strange things always seemed to happen when she was angry, or unhappy about something.

Could this be why? Amber thought, looking down at her letter. If I really am a witch, it would explain all the strange things that happen!

"There's only one way to know for sure," Mr. Hutchingson stated calmly. "We'll just have to wait until August twenty-fifth."

The doorbell rang.

"Oh, that'll be the family!" Mrs. Hutchingson chirped. "Hurry and hide that letter. Harold, answer the door so I can clean up this soot! And absolutely no mention of this to the family! They'll think we've all gone crazy!"

Amber quietly slipped upstairs to her room and stuck the letter underneath her pillow. She didn't know why, but she felt an urge to glance out the window at the room across from hers in Number 4. She felt goosebumps on her arms, but her mother was calling for her and Amber, reluctantly, went down for her birthday party.

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Three months later, on August twenty-fifth, Amber was anxiously waiting in the living room for any sign of a weird stranger. She had gone outside to sit on the wall out front, but the elderly lady who lived in Number 4 was out in her garden. Amber had never liked the Dursleys; she had always thought they were mean, even though she'd only spoken to them once when her family had moved in four and a half years ago.

So, Amber occupied herself inside by watching an old cartoon on the television. Most of her summers were spent in front of the television, or reading books from the local library. Sometimes her parents would take her on vacation to other places, but Amber liked being at home with nothing to do. It was far better than having to worry about schoolwork and what the other students thought about her.

There was a knock on the front door, and Amber was violently jarred out of her reverie. She was on her feet and opening the door before her mother could even call out for her to get it.

Standing in the doorway was a rather tall, pleasantly plump man who seemed to be in his middle thirties. There was a nice smile on his face, and his blonde hair was combed to one side. His attire consisted of a pair of faded jeans, a blue sweater, and a denim jacket. His hand was ominously stuck in the folds of the denim jacket, as if he were hiding something.

"Hello. You must be Amber," his smile widened as Amber's mother came up behind her. "And you must be Mrs. Hutchingson. I'm Neville Longbottom. I'm aware your daughter received a letter from Hogwarts a few months ago, saying I would be coming?"

Amber's mother stared hard at him. "I thought that letter was a joke, or maybe a mistake."

"It's neither, I can assure you. May I come in?"

"If you must," Amber's mother answered stiffly.

The kindly looking man stepped inside and shut the door behind him. Amber didn't wait for her mother, she guided Mr. Longbottom into the living room. The TV was still on, and Amber turned it off with the remote. Mr. Longbottom seemed curious about the television but turned away from it to address Amber and her mother.

"I'm the Herbology teacher at Hogwarts. Professor McGonagall, the Headmistress, thought I would be perfect for the job of escorting you to Diagon Alley to get your school supplies," he grinned again. "I was sure you would have questions for me, so I came early."

"Am I a witch?" Amber blurted, ignoring her mother's stern hushing sounds.

He chuckled. "Yes, you are a witch, Amber. It's actually not uncommon for there to be Muggleborn witches and wizards. A good friend of mine is one, actually, and she was always the best student during our time at Hogwarts."

"What's Diagon Alley?" Amber questioned quickly. "And do I really get a wand? And do I get a pet, too? The letter said I could have an owl, a cat, or a toad!"

"Amber, please!" her mother tried hushing her again.

"It's alright, it's normal for her to be curious. Diagon Alley is where you'll be getting all of your school supplies. You will be getting a wand, and yes, you will be able to get a pet, if your parents allow it." Neville Longbottom seemed quite happy to answer all of Amber's questions.

"Can we go now?" Amber gasped. "To Diagon Alley, I mean."

"If your mother doesn't have any plans for today," he turned to look at Mrs. Hutchingson, clearly asking her if it was alright to go.

"I did have something planned..."

Amber interrupted her mother.

"Please, please, please! I really want to go! And I'm sure Mr. Longbottom will allow you to come, too! Won't you, Mr. Longbottom?" Amber glanced at him with pleading eyes.

"It's actually Professor Longbottom, Amber," he winked at her. "And yes, your mother was supposed to come with us in the first place."

Amber turned back to her mother, the same pleading look in her eyes.

"Fine, just please stop with that look!" Mrs. Hutchingson laughed. "Let me get my purse. We'll be paying for everything, won't we?"

Neville Longbottom nodded. "It'll have to be exchanged first, but yes."

Amber was so excited, she almost forgot to run upstairs and grab her jacket. Once more, she had the strange goosebumps when she looked over at the bedroom in Number 4. But she immediately forgot about it again when her mother called for her to hurry up.

Neville Longbottom took them deep into London and to a little pub called the Leaky Cauldron. Amber watched her mother's eyes drift over the place, even though she herself could see the place just fine. Professor Longbottom had warned them that Mrs. Hutchingson would not be able to see the building because she was a Muggle, or a person without any magical ability.

The trio entered the pub and Amber found herself in the company of many strange people. There was a group of oddly clad women sitting at a table in a corner, speaking quietly amongst themselves. A wizened old man waddled over.

"Sorry, Tom, just passing through," Professor Longbottom smiled. "First year at Hogwarts, here to get her stuff."

"Ah, yes," the man named Tom smiled at Amber, and she saw that some of his teeth were missing. "Have a good day."

"Follow me, please," the teacher ordered, heading into the back. Amber stole one last look at two men sitting at the bar. Both of them were pale and gaunt looking; they seemed to be discussing something rather serious from the looks on their faces.

"Hurry up, Amber!" her mother called and Amber hurried after them.

They came upon a blank stretch of brick wall. Amber stared at it, wondering what they were doing here. She watched with fascination as Professor Longbottom pulled out a stick, Amber assumed it to be his wand, from the jean jacket and tapped the bricks in a sort of pattern that Amber was sure to remember. Then, as the three watched, the brick wall opened up onto a sight Amber could only have dreamed of.

Right in front of them was a long road filled with numerous shops on either side. The street was bustling with people of all sizes, and all ages. A group of six year olds sped past, all of them holding multicolored lollipops. As they walked into the crowd, Amber felt as if she had waited for this moment her entire life. They passed a shop window that had a crowd of boys in front of it, who were all staring at a broomstick sitting on a purple cushion. Amber heard a boy whisper to his friend, "I heard it's the best ever! The new Silversaturn; even faster than the old Firebolts!"

"Don't get lost, Amber!" Professor Longbottom called back.

Amber quickened her pace to catch up with them. A few minutes later, they came upon a tall, white building that had the word Gringotts on the front.

"What's this place?" Amber asked the teacher as they walked up the steps.

"This is Gringotts, the Wizarding bank. We'll be able to exchange your money for Wizarding money here."

"Wow!" Amber gasped as they entered. There were short, pale faced little people running about here and there.

"These are goblins. Mind yourself in front of them," Professor Longbottom warned. He brought them over to one of the goblins. "We'd like to exchange some Muggle money, please."

The goblin nodded.

Amber's mother got out her purse and began putting some money on the counter. The goblin nodded again, counted up the money, and handed over ten gold coins, sixteen silver ones, and a whole bunch of little bronze ones inside a velvet bag.

"What are these?" Amber stared at the gold ones.

"The gold ones are Galleons. Those silver ones are called Sickles. And the little bronze ones are Knuts," Professor Longbottom replied. "I think we should head for Madam Malkin's first, so you can be fitted for your robes."

Mother and daughter followed the wizard through the crowd and into a shop. There were already a few people inside being fitted. A middle aged witch nodded at Amber. Professor Longbottom pushed Amber forward. Amber stepped up onto a stool, and the witch began to measure her with a floating tape measure.

A few minutes later, she was done being fitted. They paid for the robes and left the shop.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" her mother asked.

"Not at all," Amber smiled. "I kind of enjoyed it, actually."

Professor Longbottom laughed. "We should get your books now. Let's head for Flourish and Blotts."

They entered the bookstore, which was packed with people. Amber had never seen so many people in one store before. The reason came a few minutes later when Professor Longbottom heard a teenager whisper to her younger sister, "Harry Potter's here, in the store!"

"I forgot to mention I was expecting to meet some friends while we were here," Professor Longbottom smiled at Mrs. Hutchingson and Amber. "Harry Potter is one of them."

"Who's Harry Potter?" Amber whispered, afraid she would sound stupid if someone overheard.

"He's famous for killing You-Know-Who...I mean Voldemort. Would you like to meet him?" the teacher looked around. "Ah, I think I see him over there." He pointed toward where the crowd was thickest.

Amber wondered how the Professor could be friends with anyone famous for killing someone. The name Voldemort had made her shiver, but she didn't know why.

"Harry!" the Professor called, waving above the crowd.

"Neville?" the man in the middle of the crowd laughed. "Excuse me! Excuse me!" He pushed his way through the crowd to them. "How have you been? A little crazy in here, isn't it?"

Professor Longbottom and the man with the messy black hair, emerald green eyes, glasses, and a prominent, lightning shaped scar on his forehead shook hands briefly.

"Is this the girl you told me about?" the man looked at Amber and then at her mother.

"Yes. This is Amber Hutchingson, and her mother," Professor Longbottom introduced them. "This is Harry Potter. We were in the same year at Hogwarts."

"Pleasure meeting you. So, Neville, what have you been up to lately? Other than being Herbology teacher, I mean," Harry grinned.

"Nothing much, actually. I just got back from a trip to France with the family. What about you, Harry? What have you been up to lately?" the Professor wondered.

"Oh, well, since Voldemort is gone, the Aurors have been assigned to chase down hardened criminals. I'm head of the Auror department, at the moment. Ginny's off work for now," he grinned. "Pregnant again, if you'd believe it."

"How many is that now?" Neville chuckled.

"Just David, Kristal and the new baby coming soon," Harry smiled. "David's starting his first year this year."

"So is Phinidelus. He's rather excited about it. Where's the rest of your family, then?" Neville looked around the store.

"They went to get a snack at Florean's with the Weasleys," Harry motioned at the crowd that was standing around them, many of them pretending not to listen. "I'm here signing autographs." He pulled a face. "You going to say hello to the others, right?"

"That was my original plan, but we still need to get Amber her books," Professor Longbottom smiled at Amber.

Harry turned to looked at Amber. "Maybe I can help."

"Sure, thanks," Amber smiled, her cheeks burning a little.

With Harry's help, they had all of Amber's book and were out the door in ten minutes. They headed toward the shop Florean Fortesque's Ice Cream Parlor that Amber had noticed earlier. It was almost completely empty, except for a few families. Harry brought them over to where a brilliantly red headed woman was sitting with her son and daughter at one table. The lady's bulging stomach was only slightly noticeable. At three other tables sat a bushy haired lady with a red headed toddler in her lap, a man who was trying to get two twin boys with flame red hair to stop smearing each other with ice cream, and a whole crowd of other red headed children.

"Neville!" the pregnant lady broke into a wide smile.

"Hello, Ginny," Neville nodded to her.

The red haired man turned away from the twins. "Hey there, Neville."

"How's it going, Ron?" Professor Longbottom laughed as the bushy haired woman flicked her wand at the twins' ice creams. The ice creams vanished, and the twins started to whine loudly.

"As well as usual with all these darn kids around," the red haired man named Ron chuckled. He spotted Harry, who was walking over to the seat between Ginny and the dark haired boy who was talking animatedly to one of the red headed children. "Harry! Did you finally get away from handing out autographs?"

"All thanks to Neville," Harry replied as he sat down.

"Is that Amber?" the bushy haired lady asked, bouncing the burbling toddler on her lap.

"Yes. This is Amber Hutchingson and her mother," Professor Longbottom patted Amber's shoulder. "That's Hermione Weasley, the friend I told you about who is Muggleborn, too."

"You'll get used to everything quickly, don't worry," Hermione gave Amber a friendly smile.

Amber grinned sheepishly.

"Are you starting your first year, too?" the black haired boy with glasses called. He and the red head he'd been talking to were staring at her with wide grins.

Amber nodded.

"Well, it was nice seeing everyone, but I think it's time we went and got Amber the rest of her things," Neville said.

"Oh, but you just got here!" Ginny wiped dribbled ice cream off the chin of the red headed girl seated next to her. "Kristal, sit still!"

"Mum!" the girl batted at her mother's hands.

"Professor McGonagall wanted to make sure Amber got everything she needed," Professor Longbottom said. "It's my duty to see that she does."

Harry laughed. "Very noble sounding, Neville."

The Professor laughed, too. "We really should get going. Perhaps we can get together sometime soon?"

"That would be great," Hermione said as Ron gave one of the younger red headed children a tap on the head because the kid had just punched one of the twins. "Ronald!"

"What?" Ron cringed as Neville led Amber and her mother back out into Diagon Alley.

"Who were those people?" Amber's mother whispered hoarsely.

"The Potters and the Weasleys," the Professor chuckled. "Harry, Hermione, and Ron were friends during our years at Hogwarts. Hermione and Ron got married, and Harry married Ron's younger sister, Ginny. So, the three friends are related now. All of the red heads except for Kristal belong to Hermione and Ron."

Amber gaped. "There sure were a lot of them!"

"Yes. The Weasleys are well known for having a large bunch of kids," Neville laughed.

"Can we go get my wand next, Professor Longbottom?" Amber wondered.

"Sure, we'll head for Ollivander's. He makes the best."

The Hogwarts Professor brought them to an old store that was covered in dust. The shelves were full of long, thin boxes in all sorts of colors. An old man with too many wrinkles to count ambled out from the shadows.

"Ah, here to get your first wand?" the man smiled, showing hardly any teeth.

Amber nodded quickly.

He stepped up onto a ladder and brought a few boxes down. He opened one and handed the wand to Amber saying,

"Dragonheart string, cherry, seven inches, very sturdy."

Amber stared at him, not knowing what to do.

"Give it a wave, Amber," the Professor prompted.

Amber flicked the wand, and bright yellow sparks zoomed around the room in circles.

"Ah, no!" the wrinkled man took it from her and handed her another one. "Try this. Phoenix feather, redwood, eight and a half inches, lightweight with mild flexibility."

She waved it, but nothing happened.

"Nope." Once more the man pulled the wand from her fingers and handed her another.

It went this way for nearly fifteen minutes before the man pulled out one and paused. "Mmmm, yes. Try this one!" He handed it over, and Amber felt a tingling in her fingers that ran up to her elbow. "Unicorn hair, mahogany, ten and three quarter inches, quite bendable. Would be very useful for Transfiguration."

Amber waved the wand and silvery blue light spiraled outwards, twirling around like shooting stars.

"Yes, yes! Perfect!" the man took the wand, put it back in the box, and handed it over. "That will be one Galleon, three Sickles."

Amber handed over the money, and they left the store quietly. She had a feeling that she would be having quite a few adventures with this new unicorn hair wand. And suddenly, she couldn't wait to start school at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Next, they went to get some Potion ingredients for her.

"We'll just get you some of the basic things you'll need. The Potions Professor usually provides you with anything you don't have." Neville let Amber wander the store as he went to tell the witch behind the counter which ingredients they needed.

Amber was looking at a barrel of beetle eyes when someone came up beside her.

"Hello. You a first year going to Hogwarts, too?"

Amber turned to see a pale, pointed face looking at her. The boy was only an inch taller than her, but the way he held himself made it seem like he was nearly a foot taller. His bright blonde eyebrows, which matched his sleek hair, rose as he waited for Amber to answer. The gray eyes set in his head were wide and calculating.

"Yes, I am," Amber gave him her best cheerful smile.

"I'm Garren Malfoy." The boy didn't return the smile.

"Amber Hutchingson." Amber stuck out her hand, but the boy ignored it.

"What House you think you'll be Sorted into?" he gave her a smirk.

"H...House?" Amber stammered as she pulled back her hand. Professor Longbottom hadn't said anything about "Houses."

The boy gave her another smirk. "You aren't Muggleborn are you?"

"Yes..." Amber blinked, wondering why he'd said "Muggleborn" in such a nasty tone.

"Figures," the boy sniffed loudly. He turned and walked away without even saying good-bye.

The Professor and her mother walked over.

"Who was that?" Neville wondered.

"He said his name was Garren Malfoy," Amber frowned.

"I should have guessed. He has that look about him," the Professor said with a shake of his head. "He didn't give you any trouble, did he?"

"No...but it sounded like he didn't like me," Amber said.

"If he was brought up the way his father was, then he wouldn't," Professor Neville told her with a calming smile. "The Malfoys are a pureblood family. They don't like Muggles, Squibs, Muggleborns, or what're called half-bloods. They all have an arrogance a mile long, and none of them are liked much. You shouldn't worry about him right now, though. Your mother has agreed to get you a pet."

Amber squealed happily.

When the three of them entered the emporium ten minutes later, an owl as black as night came swooping down from the shadowy ceiling. It's hoot was spectacular to hear, and Amber couldn't help but grin at it.

"Oy, you stupid owl!" the shopkeeper shuffled out of a back room. "I just can't get rid of him. Nobody wants to buy a crazed owl!"

The black owl glared down at them with its golden eyes.

"I'll take him, if you don't want him!" Amber watched as the owl turned its eyes toward her. "I think he's wonderful."

"Are you sure?" the shopkeeper looked surprised.

"Very sure! How much will he cost?" Amber held out her arm and the owl actually flew down to her without a sound.

The storekeeper laughed. "You can have him for free. I've been waiting ages for someone to take him. He doesn't much like being in a cage, just to warn you."

"He'll have to get used to it if Amber wants to take him to Hogwarts," Professor Longbottom commented.

The black owl hooted softly.

"I think he'll be happy enough in a cage, knowing he's going to Hogwarts," Amber grinned. "Can we buy a cage, then?"

"You can have a cage free, if you can get him in it without a fuss." The shopkeeper motioned at the shelves full of empty cages.

Amber grabbed a silver, metal cage with her other hand and opened the door.

"In you go, Twilight," she smiled.

The newly named owl stepped inside and ruffled his feathers in a dignified way. With one last glare at the shop owner, he closed his eyes and went to sleep.

"Well, I'll be..." he shook his head. "He's taken to you, that owl has. Here, take a bag of owl treats, free. That's more than enough thanks for taking that crazed bird off my hands."

"Thank you!" Amber grinned.

They left the shop, Amber holding the cage tightly with her happiness.

"Owls are used to send letters, so you can use this guy to send letters to your family while you're away at Hogwarts," the Professor mentioned as they headed toward the last shop, where Amber would get the last few things on her list.

"I know. A tawny owl brought me my Hogwarts letter." Amber felt her cheeks burning, but it was not out of embarrassment. She knew that there would be no way to count how many times she had smiled today.

And she knew it wasn't the end of her happiness, either.

Amber and her mother returned home when it was nearly dark.

"I hope your father works late, so I can get dinner done," Amber's mother sighed, taking off her coat and hanging it in the front closet. "He'll ask too many questions, otherwise."

"Aren't you going to tell him we went to get my school things?" Amber asked curiously.

"Yes, but not today. He told me he wanted to have a peaceful time at home today, because he knew he was going to have a difficult day at work," Amber followed her mother into the kitchen. "I don't want to bother him with talk of your stran...of your school."

Amber had the feeling her mother had almost said something different, but she decided not to say anything. Taking Twilight, she headed for her room. She flicked on the light, and then placed Twilight's cage on her dresser.

"I don't think I should let you out, yet. My parents may not like it," Amber told the owl. She put a few owl treats into the cage and went over to her bed, where Professor Longbottom had magically put her things.

The conversation had been light at the end of their day's journey, when Professor Longbottom had said his job was done and that they could find their way home themselves. He had informed them that someone else would escort them to Platform 9 ¾ in King's Cross Station on September first. He wished them luck, and then disappeared into the Muggle crowd. Amber had felt sad to see him go.

I wonder why mum is deliberately not telling dad where we were today? Amber rummaged through the packages. They had also bought her a large, black trunk to put all of her things into. She began unwrapping the paper around her packages, and neatly putting them into the trunk. Mother must have a reason for not telling him. Could someone on mum's side of the family be a witch, or wizard? Amber shook this thought out of her head. That was impossible. But then again, her mother had acted suspiciously when Amber had received her letter.

Twilight hooted in his cage, having finished his owl treats.

"Sorry, I can't let you out. You might scare my parents," Amber told the owl apologetically. "I'm sure you'll be able to fly around whenever you want at Hogwarts."

Twilight hooted again, staring at her with a bored look.

Amber went back to putting her things in the trunk. When she came to the box with her wand inside, she paused. It was unusual to think that this thin piece of wood was anything special at all. Pulling out the lightly brown colored wand, she examined it from all angles before realizing that the old man had said it was unicorn hair. Did that mean that unicorns were real? Amber felt her heart flutter with a feeling she had never felt before in her life.

"Amber! Dinner is ready!" her mother called up toward her.

"Just a minute!" Amber swiftly put the wand back into its dark blue box and dropped the rest of the packages into her trunk. Putting it on the floor, she shoved it underneath her bed. There, that way dad won't know it's there, Amber thought before speeding downstairs for dinner.

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End of Chapter One