Dragonsflame Academy of Sorcery - Once again

Ok, so I've been feeling all depressed lately because I let one of my favorite RP's die... homg that sucked... But I'm a firm believer in second chances, so I try once again to bring this puppy to life. Because Harry Potter based RP's are always fun...

Dragonsflame Academy of Sorcery

Magic has been taught throughout the ages. How else would young wizards and witches learn to use their gifts? But as varied as the types of magic are the schools at which they are taught. Ranging from the Salem Witches Institute to the Osaka Magical Preparatory School
and even the fabled Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, these great schools have a noble purpose. But upon reflection, doesn't it make sense that taking into account the number of wizards and witches in the world, that there should be an equally surprising number of schools? And that is where this all takes place. At the famed American school of magic, Dragonflame Academy of Sorcery

Though the school's specific location is unknown, most else about it is. The school accepts students from all over the United States, and of all parentage. The only requisite is of course, that they be magical. What else is known, is the school's somewhat unorthodox manner of running things. First and foremost, are the lodging situations. Rather than separate dormitories based on house, they are separated by year. While students are indeed, separated into four different houses, instead theytay with those of their same year. First and Second years, Third and Fourth years, and Fifth and Sixth years, the Seventh years getting their own dormitories. That aside, each house also has its own common room, for casual interaction and such.

Apart from that, the school has also received some strange reviews, based on the fact that Dueling is encouraged. In fact, it is a sport shared between the many schools of the area. As if this alone wasn't strange, students of all ages are allowed to take part, causing some parents to believe that the school isn’t run strictly enough, and endangers, some of the younger students.

And probably the strangest part of the school is its headmistress, Professor Nuual. Easily the most eccentric of the school's many leaders. Though surly as old as the best of them, Professor Jenalyn Nuual looks no older than thirty-five. Many theorize that Nuual has used her extensive knowledge of magic to make herself eternally young, though whenever confronted with this prospect, she simply smiles and changes the subject. Brilliant in every aspect of her being, many claim Professor Nuual to be the greatest witch of the age, and a fair Quidditch player as well. And so, all things considered, every year parents from across the United States send their children to the acclaimed Dragonsflame Academy of Sorcery, so that the noble art of magic can be passed down. And that, is where this story begins.




Houses
Falconsflight- House and Home for those noble of heart and pure of action. Those of Falconsflight pursue adventure, fight for that which is right and often put others before themselves. Founded by the youngest of the Dragonsflame Children, Falcior Dragonsflame, he is best remembered for his ancient ability to communicate with birds, or aviatongue.

Spidersilk- House that represents the embodiment of the greater good. Most consider it the, “sissy” house; Spidersilk rarely receives much glory but is known for the selfless acts its students have committed. Almost all the trophies for special services to the school were awarded to members of Spidersilk. The only girl of the Dragonsflame children, Anisa Dragonsflame, founded the house.

Wolfsfang- House that represents progress and boldness. If ever there was a house that was responsible for producing famous witches and wizards, it was Wolfsfang. Four of the seven players on the U.S. Quidditch team were once members of Wolfsfang, not to mention a good portion of Ministry officials, as well as the Minister himself. Good grades, impeccable athleticism, and longing to be great, most parents cross their fingers in hopes that their children will be chosen for this house. Founded by the oldest of the Dragonsflame children, Loberacious Dragonsflame.

Tigersclaw- House that represents ingenuity and resourcefulness. Members of this house most often choose to work on their own than rely on the help of others, seeing such as a sign of weakness. Not to say that they are anti-social, but rather, that they are more independent than most. Members of Tigersclaw also have an incredible sense of loyalty and commitment, and are unlikely to not finish something they start. Founded my the second oldest of the Dragonsflame children, Felixander Dragonsflame.

Professors

Professor Amiteus- Professor of Charms at Dragonsflame. A large, stout wizard who has played Quidditch for over fourteen different league teams, and excelled at every position, though known for incredible keeping skills, he eventually came to teach at the renowned school of magic. He has taught for twenty-three years and is a favorite among the students. Very happy and always bouncy, Amiteus is known around school for always guessing correctly, who will come out the victor in the school Quidditch matches.

Professor Treelow- Professor of Defense against the Dark Arts at Dragonsflame and head of Falconsflight. Brilliant in every aspect of being, Professor Treelow is known for having once been a famous Auror. One of the younger teachers, Treelow has taught at Dragonsflame for seven years now, and has developed somewhat of a fan club. Many of the female students tend to develop crushes on the young teacher and many of the others think of him as something of an idol.

Professor Jenkins- Professor of Divination and head of Tigersclaw at Dragonsflame. Very old and knowledgeable, Professor Jenkins is one of many in a long line of incredibly gifted Seers. Said to have made over three hundred prophecies, all of which have, to date, come true, she is one of the most well respected teachers at Dragonsflame, and one of the most feared. She is known to walk along the corridors and make predictions about students that pass her, all of which have a habit of coming true. This has led to most of the student body to develop an intense fear of her, which in turn has meant that Professor Jenkins tends to have very few students take her class.

Professor Latheway- Potions master and head of the medical ward at Dragonsflame. A short, plump, and rosy cheeked witch, it is almost impossible to find her anywhere without a smile on her face. Old though she is, her long hair always hangs down her back in silver curls. Well liked amongst the students, and well respected amongst the staff. Once a head healer at Twin Talons Magical Hospital in Washington (The best wizarding hospital in the U.S.), Professor Latheway eventually came to realize that nothing brought her more joy in life than helping children. And so, she took up a position at Dragonsflame. Not only did she choose to teach, she also felt it was her duty to expand upon the infirmary, leading to the now very large and well staffed medical wing which takes up the better portion of the third floor. With her on staff, it is not uncommon to see a fully-grown wizard on campus, having traveled a long way just for her excellent healing skills.

Professor Fielman- Teacher of Care of Magical Creatures at Dragonsflame, and head of Wolfsfang. Tall, lanky, and incredibly handsome, Professor Fielman is one of the teachers that many either hate or love. Though his teaching methods are a bit less than conventional, he is effective nonetheless. It is his firm belief, that what a seventh year can handle, a first year can handle, and so, he does not break up his lessons by year, but teaches all his students, the same thing, for all his classes, changing it only when the year changes, at which time he teaches something else. Many parents feel that some of the creatures they deal with are too dangerous for some, however no students have ever come into harm in his care, and thus, no complaints have ever been filed.

Professor Carrows- Professor of Transfiguration and head of Spidersilk at Dragons Flame. Definitely one of the tougher teachers at the school, Professor Carrows is old, but strong, tough, but sensitive. Having taught at Dragonsflame for forty-three years, he has seen the school under many a headmaster, and has also taught Charms, Defense against the Dark Arts, and Herbology. Handing out homework is one of the professors favorite pass times, and much the dismay of his students, it is rarely anything easy.

Professor Gellings- Professor of History of Magic at Dragonsflame. Quite easily the oldest teacher at the school, Professor Gellings is excellent at what she teaches. Last recorded at being one-hundred-and-seventy-three, Professor Gellings has lived through most of what she is paid to pass onto to the students, specifically wars. Once a general for the Ministry, she tends to focus mainly on area of history she has either lived through, or been a participant in, and is well known for bringing her class to life with visions of particularly interesting battles, by drawing out her memories and displaying them for the class.

Professor McCall- Professor of Herbology at Dragonsflame. Tall, broad shouldered, and very well built, it is hard to picture such a man teaching a subject as Herbology. However, it is truly his passion. Having developed many new breeds of magical plant right on the campus, he has become somewhat of an authority on the subject, and has even published a few books. Students feel that classes are more of fun experiments to try and further the progress of Herbology, but in the process, just happen to learn something.






Other things of magical interest

Starcrest Port- The largest all-magical settlement in all of North America, and lies on the Californian coast. Large in every aspect of the word, wizards and witches from across the United States travel to Starcrest Port to purchase the magical objects. Students too would be hard pressed to find anywhere else that has all of the necessities for their upcoming school year. The Dragonflame Bullet, the train that takes students to the school, is also located here.


The Ministry of Magic- Located in upstate New York, it is the hub of the United States magical government.

The Salem Witches Institute- An all-girls school and rival school to Dragonsflame.





Now then, a few rules of play before we start! First off, I would like to state for those of you too dense to already know, this takes place in the world of Harry Potter, but does not in any way intertwine with the story of Harry Potter. Got it? Super. Next, I, and possibly my co-GM (Games Master) will be playing any and all NPC’s. This includes, but is not limited to: Teachers, Professor Nuual, Shop Keepers, other random students, various ghosts and the like. Third, and this ones important, so pay attention folks, your character must, MUST(!!!!!!) be starting out in their first year. FIRST YEAR!!!!!!!! No Second years, no third years, no fourth years, no fifth years, no sixth years, and no seventh years. This levels the playing field and sorts out the little matter of dormitories. Now then, moving on… where was I? Ah yes! Number Four! Your character must live in the U.S. Its an American school, therefore, its students are American. Neat huh? Now then, you wanna create a character? Super! Then would you be so kind as to fill out the sheet found below for me? Peachy friggen keen!


Name:

Gender:

Age:

D.O.B.:

Height:

Weight:

Eye Color:

Hair Color:

Build:

State of Origin:

Parentage:

Known Family:

Desired House:

Quidditch Position (If Played):

Hobbies:

Religious Orientation:

Physical Description:

Personality:

Background History:



Now then, there are a few things I’d like to point out about the above sheet before continuing. First, you’ll notice I put DESIRED House. This is because, ultimately I will choose what house you go into. This of course, is a very laborious task involving a quiz, analysis of your charies personality, and many other tedious tasks. This is to ensure fairness. Next, you’ll notice that this is pretty in depth, just short of favorite foods. This is because I hope for this RP to be an on going thing, and knowing as much about fellow charies is helpful in such a case.

Now then, a few more things. Your characters will all start out at their homes, and with them receiving their letters saying they’ve been accepted… yay……. And then, you should all proceed to Starcrest Port, And from there, WE ALL GET TO GO TO SCHOOL~! Yay…… if you’re ever cofused, you can use my post as a basis, or just PM me, Its all good.

OH~! And below is my charie 

Name: Xander Michaels

Gender: Male

Age: 12

D.O.B.: October, 14th, 1993

Height: 5'6"

Weight: 112

Eye Color: Blue

Hair Color: Brown

Build: Slim with a runners build

State of Origin: California

Parentage: Muggle born

Known Family: Mother, Step-Dad, Older Brother and Sister

Desired House: None in particular

Quidditch Position (If Played): None

Hobbies: Reading, Writing, Listening to 80's rock, Japanese culture and animation, Sushi, animal rights, many other things

Religious Orientation: Buddhist

Physical Description: Skinny with a little bit of a build, he used to run a lot so some of those signs still linger. His brown hair is really light and hangs down the sides of his face in feathered waves. At first glance, many think him to be a girl. His bright blue eyes are what really set him apart. They stand out both against his tan skin, and his hair.

Personality: A pretty social guy, Xander has lots of friends, but few real friends. Most are more of acquaintances more than anything. He loves going to concerts, and music goes with him wherever he goes. He's typically always happy, and though most consider him emo, he really isn’t. He supports world peace, doesn’t eat meat, thinks that war is bad, has an intense optimistic attitude.

Background History: Born the son of a Business Woman mother, and Brain Surgeon Step-Dad, Xander has led for the most part, a very well off life. However, he's always had a bit of pressure on his shoulders, as both of his older siblings received nothing but impeccable grades and are both now, very successful. He's tried his best to always get good grades, but usually seems to fall just short. But his perfectly normal life was all disrupted when he received a strange letter in the mail....

I used to be part of L_E's RP...but I was a jerk and dropped out. I would like a second chance at this, as well..

Name: Peter Fletcher

Gender: Male

Age: 11

D.O.B.: March 15th, 1994

Height: 4'5''

Weight: 99lbs

Eye Color: Brown

Hair Color: Brown

Build: Skinny, with not a definite build since he isn't a sports person

State of Origin: Florida

Parentage: Half-blood, Muggle Mom, Wizard Dad

Known Family: Mother, Father, Two older brothers

Desired House: Falconsflight

Quidditch Position (If Played): None

Hobbies: Reading, Collecting random things

Religious Orientation: Christian (Baptist)

Physical Description: Most people would brand Peter as a sissy: He isn't very strong, has no physical buildup of muscles, and is short. Not a good combination for sports, so he tends to stay away from them. He has short, brown hair that goes to about his ears and above his eyes, with brown eyes to compliment his hair. He also has a buildup of freckles around his nose. His skin is normal, with no tan, and completly white.

Personality: He is drawn back, and also quiet. He doesn't tend to start conversations with people, because of the menacing and mean things that have happened to him in the past from trying that. He is what you would consider a loner that needs to learn "Trust".

Background History: Peter isn't amazing. He hasn't done anything that if you said his name, someone would recognize him completly. He tries to NOT be one of those people. Due to his physical weakness, he is picked on, and it tends to get annoying and tiring after a while. His parents refuse to believe this is true, moreso his Mom, who keeps pushing him to be the greatest at everything, even when he just wants to be normal. His two older brothers, who are twins, are already members at Dragonsflame, and they kid with him and make up outrageous stories of how he isn't going to get in, because he is weak and short. The only thing coupling with weakness is his height, which is the highlight of his bullying. Even though this bullying is going on, he never backs down if it happens, and always shows great courage and looks after what little friends he has.

His Dad is the only one who gives him moral support, and assures him he will be a great Wizard, and makes him laugh whenever he tells him his physical weakness just means he will be awesome at Magic.

You could say Peter gets..normal grades. Good enough to make his parents happy. Unfortunatly, his Mom gripes at him when he gets anything less then an "A" in Social Studies, because she is a History teacher at their local High School. His Dad has a small job working as a Bank Clerk during the Dragonsflame Off-Year, but his main income comes from his Job as a Book Seller for the children's school books at Seacrest Port.

Due to the letter from Dragonsflame, his house isn't quiet, and his Mom and Dad are dancing, embarrasing all three children.

[Hope this is acceptably, if not, just tell me what to change.]

You were a part of my RP too.... o.O

I'll think on it.

((I was part of your RP once upon a time, but then I forgot Keiichi Anime existed and put all my efforts into writing my stories. Sorry ))

Name: Alexandria Marie Isabell Josephina Winters (Alex for short)

Gender: Female

Age: 11

D.O.B.: 1st May (Mayday, YAY!!)

Height: 5'

Weight: I don't know any weight orientation stuff, so can I just say she's average?

Eye Color: bright bright blue

Hair Color: black brown

Build: short with an incredibly small build

State of Origin: She came from England, but moved to Arizona when she was 9

Parentage: Pure blood

Known Family: her mother, and a brother she discovered the year before (I'm hoping he can be in 3rd year)

Desired House: Falconsflight

Quidditch Position (If Played): seeker, but she hasn't played for a few years

Hobbies: talking to or making friends, working on one of her many, many art projects, playing guitar or (when she's in a bad mood) practising Martial Arts.

Religious Orientation: Very strongly Catholic (she constantly wears a silver cross she hides under her shirt)

Physical Description: She's short, and petite. Unfortunately, her build makes her seem even smaller than she is, and she has a strangely doll-like appearance. If you take her messiness into account. Her hair goes to just past her elbows, and is difficult beyond belief. Other than her eyes, she has no real distinguishing features, so they seem oddly piercing and slightly exotic.

Personality: Bouncy, fun loving, has a scarily strong sense of justice. She hates other people getting hurt, and can find a way to blame herself for everything. But she's not much of a worry wort, and can seem much more carefree than she really is

Background History: Her mother believes that a person cannot truely understand the world unless they know of other walks of life. So, she's basically seen the best and worst of humanity since she was a little girl. When she was five she moved to mainland Europe (Italy to be exact) and then to Arizona at the age of nine. When she was ten her mother introduced her to her brother, and since he's been obsessed in his 'older brother' role, practically destroying all of her privacy.

((And can I make another character?))

Name: Samantha J. Connors

Gender: female

Age: 12

D.O.B.: september 16

Height: 5 foot 4

Weight: Average for her higth

Eye Color: Cristal blue

Hair Color: white

Build: slim, but built slightly

State of Origin: TX

Parentage: pure blood

Known Family: Mother, father, and a 4 year old brother

Desired House: not that picky

Quidditch Position: beater

Hobbies: running, reading and collecting manga, watching TV

Religious Orientation: Cristian-methodist

Physical Description:slim

Personality: kind, warm, protective of her friends, strong sense of right and wrong, and will back up that sense if she thinks something is wrong.

Background History: not much to tell, but she grew up as a texas girl with a sense of wright and wrong, and knows how to fight, with her fists.

((I like this. I wasn't in the other RP but, mind if I join? Here is my Character sheet.))

Name: Brett Gates (Of no relation to Bill Gates)

Gender: Male

Age: 13

D.O.B.: July 8, 1993

Height: 5'5

Weight: 107 lbs

Eye Color: Brown

Hair Color: Dark Brown (Almost Black from a distance)

Build: A muscle like build (From 3 years in a Military Academy)

State of Origin: Louisiana

Parentage: Muggle Born

Known Family: Mother, Father, younger sister, and an Uncle

Desired House: Wolfsfang

Quidditch Position (If Played): Doesn't play

Hobbies: Playing sports, with the acception of Quidditch, doing excersises and studies, likes to read and write. Also likes to play video games, but never has the chance to do so.

Religious Orientation: Catholic

Physical Description: A little tall for his age and a pretty descent build. around 5-6% body fat. Most of his weight is muscle. Always keeps a picture of his younger sister Erica with him. He has short dark brown hair. From a distance looks like black hair. Has brown eyes.

Personality: His keeps to himself alot. But he can be very social at times. Kind when you get to know him. Always willing to step up to a challenge even if he knows there will be a big chance he would fail. Learns very fast. He has a ninth grade education already. Always one step ahead of just about anyone he knows.

Background History: His father is in the USMC (United States Marine Corps), His mother is a software programmer for a major computer company, she has to move alot. His father always in Iraq and his mother always having to move to other states every 6 months, they put him into a military academy. His sister was put into a bording school. His sister is only 6 years old, she doesn't understand much of the world and takes every chance she can to see her brother.

He makes very good grades. Lowest he has ever gotten on his report card is an 85. In his own time he does push-ups and sit-ups to think. This is one reason why he has a very strong build. He puts himself into hard positions in order to assest the situation and try to resolve it. Even if he knows he can't win something, he tries as hard as he can to win.

Okey doo...

IceAngel: Your profile is fine, you just need to clean up your spelling and grammar a bit. ACCEPTED

ReaperZeta: Your profile, however, ISN'T, fine. You're spelling isn't really all that great and your grammar falls under the same heading. You're profile is also less than descriptive. So, until you can clean everything up, DENIED

EclipseWolf: Yours is perfectly fine. ACCEPTED

Name: Conner McKnight

Gender: Male

Age: 13

D.O.B.: October 28, 1993

Height: 5'5 1/2

Weight: 110 lbs.

Eye Color: Dark Brown

Hair Color: Brown

Build: Atheletic

State of Origin: New Mexico

Parentage: Half wizard, Half Muggle

Known Family: Father, Mother, Younger Sister and Brother

Desired House: None in Particular

Quidditch Position (If Played): Chaser or Keeper

Hobbies: Playing the Piano, Soccer, and drawing

Religious Orientation: Catholic

Physical Description: A pretty normal kid. He has some muscle due to playing soccer since he was nine.

Personality: A quiet person who mostly keeps to himself around strangers. Conner is the type of person who would become your best friend if you get to know him. But once he opens up to you a freindly, entergetic and calm person comes out.

Background History: Conner is the son of a Half muggle and half Wizarding family. Until about a year ago he had never known about his heritage. His mother is the wizard in the family and his father is the muggle. His father only wanted to keep his wizard blood a secret in order to help Conner lead a normal childhood. After becoming more aquainted with the ways of the wizarding world he became instantly facinated with Quidditch and is very earger to learn more about it.

In his past conner has played on his school's soccer team as both a foward and a goalie. He performs fairly well academically and usually doesn't give his teachers any trouble at all. But since he hasn't known about the wizard world for a long time he doesn't know much about things such as brooms, Quidditch teams, the various candies, etc.

((Well, well, well. What do we have here? An old RP of mine perhaps? Very interesting... I was just thinking about this story the other day. Never thought I'd see it back up again. Mind if I join?))

• Name: Cassie Mercer
• Gender: Female
• Age: 11
• D.O.B.: May 19, 1994
• Height: 5'0"
• Weight: 115lbs
• Eye Color: Hazel
• Hair Color: Copper red
• Build: Well-built for her age as an athlete
• State of Origin: Michigan
• Parentage: Unknown
• Known Family: Adoptive-mother Jaquie Mercer
• Desired House: Non-specified
• Quidditch Position (If Played): She doesn't know what Quidditch is, but if she did, she would be a Beater.
• Hobbies: Playing competetive soccer and basketball, sitting on the roof, taking long runs through the city, reading, singing and playing the bass guitar.
• Religious Orientation: Catholic
• Physical Description: She may be short, but she is quick. Very quick. Fastest, and most aggressive, defender on the local soccer and basketball teams. No one can get by her. She always wears her straight, copper red hair in a pony tail and cherishes her black with pink shoe-laced Chuck Taylors. She usually wears hoodie sweatshirts, t-shirts or jeans (weather depending) and is usually very conservative in her clothing choices. Most would consider her pretty, but she usually tries to hide it.
• Personality: Cassie is very reserved and distant from people. She likes to keep to herself and sit alone when she gets a chance. It takes a great deal to get Cassie to smile, and the one person who can do this constantly is her adoptive-mother Jaquie. Cassie is usually quiet and only speaks when spoken to. She usually keeps her head down and out of the lime-light whenever possible. The only place where Cassie can release herself and get excited is on the field or court.
• Background History: When Cassie was seven years old, she ran away from home. Living in an abusive environment was too much for this little girl to handle, so she had no where else to go but to the streets of Detroit. At this point, Cassie was on a crash course to juvenile hall. She got herself mixed into a tough crowd filled with gangs and criminals. Eventually, Cassie did find herself behind bars for a night after breaking into an abandoned warehouse. It was Christmas Eve to be exact and was one of the only places to sleep that was decently warm. And on this very night, the sweetest woman in the world, Jaquie Mercer, visited her and took her home.

Ever since, Cassie has tried to turn her life around but it's been a challenge. Every day she remembers the home she was born in and is thankful for the home she was raised in. Cassie has come a long way from becoming a juvenile delinquent and enjoys releasing some of her emotions through song writing and singing. Under the Mercer roof, Cassie was able to finally go to school. She is a very bright girl, but sometimes she doesn't like to think things through.

An even greater future for Cassie awaits at Dragonsfire.

Name: James 'Jim' O'reily

Gender:Male

Age:13

D.O.B.: May 15, 1993

Height:6' 2''

Weight:180 lb

Eye Color: red

Hair Color: white

Build: A Slim but very tone build

State of Origin: Wy

Parentage:1/3 wizard rest is muggle

Known Family:Adopted to a full blodded japanese family that happened to be wizards.

Desired House: Wolfsfang (but is really made for spidersilk)

Quidditch Position (If Played):He wants to play but Just cant think of himself as a player.

Hobbies:Likes the game go, Reads Classical books, lifts weight (when he is bored), Draws like a camera, and practices fencing.

Religious Orientation:Protestant

Physical Description:Jim is a albino child. He Is about 6 foot 2 inches, Very white, Blood red eyes. Since he couldnt go out side, much he decided to work out inside. His body is only about 6% body fat. The rest of his body is ripped.

Personality:selfless, loyal, and kind of a gullible person. Jim will try to do alot of things for anybody. He really wants friends and tries to get them by doing alot of work that people see as being taken advantage of.

Background History: Jim was born in jacksonhole Wyoming. He had a mother and a father, but one day on his 8 birthday his parents were killed in a consession stand robbery. His parents just happened to be in the crossfire. After that Jim was taken to the orphanage.

6 months later Jim was adopted by a Japanese wizard of the name Kiskue momochi. This man was old and kind of reminded Jim of the man in the karate kid movies. He always seemed to give good information and was loving. The best part that Jim loved is that his japanese house was built on top of one of the tallest mountians in Wyoming. After that it seemed that Jim's life was turning around.

After 5 years of living with his adopted parent Jim went snowboarding in Jacksonhole. After he finnished his run he went inside a resturant. There when he ordered his food the waiter brought back a letter that was strangely addressed to him....

OOC:

LE: Naturally, you're accepted. And it technically speaking isn't your RP, just shares the same name... In fact, both you and Kon were a part of the old one =D To be seen here! ==>The Old Dragonsflame

Ichigoslayer: Your bio is, for the most part, fine. You just need to tighten up your spelling and grammar. As long as from now on there aren't many spelling or grammar errors, ACCEPTED.

And on that note, I think it's about time we started, ne? People still interested in joining are more than welcome to.

IC: It was a perfectly normal day in Laguna Beach, California. The sun was blazing down on the beaches, the streets were lined with kids, all enjoying their summer holiday, and a young boy was having as good a day as ever. Xander Michaels was walking home on his perfect summer weekend. Accompanying him was a small group of about five friends, of which he was something like a leader. He by no means chose this position, he just kinda, fell into it. He was always the decisive one, the one whom decided what they did, who broke up arguments, and whose house they all hung out at. And this day was no exception. They had just left the local three-story-mall and were now heading to a small caf?or lunch, a caf?hat Xander decided they should all go to, as none of the others could come to a decision.

It was on this most normal of days, when the first sign of something odd happening, happened. Him and his gaggle of friends were all waiting on the corner for the light to change, signaling them all to cross the street. Xander was taking in his surroundings, though he had seen it all before on numerous occasions. On the corner where the stood was a small ice cream parlor that he rather enjoyed. It looked like something out of the fifties, with old-fashioned stools and over a hundred different flavors. Across the street in the direction they were heading was the big brand name surf shop where his brother had once worked and where most of the employees thought of him as something of a little brother. He had grown up around most of them, and knew a good portion of those employees better than most of the people standing around him just then. Across the street to his left was one of many Starbucks that peppered his fair city and of which he was rather fond. His day usually didn’t happen without a Caramel Macchiatto in the morning after all. And exactly diagonal from where he stood was the small caf?hat was their destination. A variety of small tables and chairs lined the outside, which was enclosed in a small gated off area. Xander in particular was fond of eating there, as they had a wide selection of vegetarian foods, and that was always a plus in his eyes.

As Xander gazed about the intersection and its adjacent stores, something colorful flashed past the corner of his eyes. He turned around just in time to see two large birds swoop past him and come to rest on the stoplight facing him. They were those birds he had seen in those old Zoobooks when he was little. Their bodies were jet black with white under the wings. Their beaks were incredibly long, but seemed incapable of really hurting anyone. Tied to each of their legs were large robins egg blue envelopes with writing in violet ink on the fronts of them. He stared at them, his mouth slightly hanging open. He had never seen them in person, but he assumed that one of the many research facilities around here must have been doing an experiment with them. There were a few of such facilities along the beach that were known for doing odd things like teaching sharks to polka and the like, and Xander simply figured this was another such experiment. But even as he stared, he couldn’t help but think something was off. Like why did they have letters attached to their legs? And why, for the life of him, couldn’t he remember what they were called? It was only as one of his friends tapped him on the shoulder that he noticed the light had turned and the rest of their group was already moving onward. He shook his head slightly, and crossed the street, eventually passing under the birds as he moved towards the caf?br />
As they approached the caf?a waitress who looked about sixteen rushed out and asked if they would like seats inside or out. He didn’t know why he said it, as he usually preferred his meals to be had indoors, but something made him just blurt out the word “outside”. And before he knew it, he was being seated around one of the larger outside tables and a menu was being shoved under his nose. He ordered without thinking about it, his mind elsewhere at that moment. He barely registered that his friends were talking about what they were all going to do for the rest of the summer before school started in two months time. Xander however, wasn’t really paying attention, just nodding occasionally in fake agreement. He didn’t even notice as his avocado sandwich was placed in front of him. He was still thinking of other things. Turkeys? Turtles? Tigers? Trout? No, none of those were right. T… T… Tuh-Something. It was on the tip of his tongue. It must have been the light in his eyes, but those birds looked as though they were talking to each other. Granted, it was just a bit of squaking, but, either way…

“Toucans!” Xander’s head had turned so fast that a sharp pain ran down his neck. One of his friends was pointing to the two birds, a look of childish delight on her face. The rest of them all turned around to look, and each of them seemed genuinely surprised to see the birds.
“Toucans… yeah, that’s it… don’t know why I didn’t think of that…”
“What was that Xander?” It was the same girl who had pointed to the toucans.
“Hmm? Oh, it’s nothing… Um, are Toucans really that rare around here?” He had assumed they were just part of research, but maybe it was a strange occurrence.
“Oh yeah, its really rare to find them away from their natural habitats. Don’t you remember Mrs. Mossman talking about them in science?” Truth be told, Xander honestly couldn’t remember much of science. It was always his least favorite subject, and he had a tendency of spacing out or catching up on sleep in that class.
“Oh… erm… yeah, I sorta do… must not have been thinking is all…” The subject of discussion quickly shifted to an upcoming movie that would be in theaters that next week, and they all quickly made agreements to go see it together. Xander was once again not paying attention, but was watching as the two toucans flew off in opposite directions. He ate his sandwich in silence, and so too, did the rest of his friends. He paid the waitress with one of the many credit cards his parents had given him and they all left, still talking about things that he really didn’t care about. The group all separated when they reached the neighborhood in which he and his friends all lived. He broke off from the rest, saying he’d be sure to remember the movie next week, and walked home alone. He didn’t know why, but something about the toucans and come off as weird to him. It was those two birds that he thought about for the rest of his walk home, and it came as a surprise to him when he reached the stone wall that wrapped around his house. Stars were starting to show in the skies, and it was that short time when the sun and moon are both barely visible at the same time. He pushed open the small gate to his house and walked up the cobblestone walkway.

His house was by all means, grand. Three stories high, it looked like one of those houses you see in Disney movies, where a single dad raises three kids on a janitor’s salary and still manages to support them all. Because, you know, in Disney movies, a janitor can make fifty dollars and hour and still be in the PTA, because its Disney, and that’s what they do. It was made of many red bricks with white windowpanes and a giant weeping willow in the front yard. He fumbled in his pants pocket for the front door key, and then crossed the threshold into his house. The inside of his house was as magnificent as it was large. But instead of hearing the normal silence that greeted him when he got home, as both his parents worked very late, he could here voices. Voices that abruptly stopped as the front door slammed shut. He could here the sound of a glass being set down, and footsteps moving closer. His mother rounded the corner and took him into her arms.

The fact that she was home was odd enough, but more so was the fact that she looked a little bit worried. Strange in that she rarely ever showed fear, doubt, of worry. His mother was definitely a beautiful woman. She had his eyes, which were as blue as his own, but long blonde hair which she often wore over one shoulder. She seemed to have just gotten home, as she was still wearing her blue pantsuit. She didn’t speak but rather, grasped him by the shoulder and steered him into the living room. Three large and comfy couches were positioned around an equally large wooden coffee table. A fire had been lit in the massive marble fireplace that was set against one wall. Many bookcases were positioned around the room, along with many vases of flowers. Sitting on the couch to the right was his step-dad. He looked slightly more disheveled than his mother, but as handsome as ever. His hair was a sandy blonde and looked particularly unkempt just then. However, the fact that his parents were home early was not what truly struck him as odd. At least, not after he saw the third person that was sitting in the room, on the couch across from his parents. He was a large man who looked as though he played football, though his age seemed to say otherwise. His rust colored hair was streaked with gray in places, and his face bore signs of wrinkling. His cheeks had a rosy color to them and he was smiling widely at Xander. He was also wearing long robes of emerald green, and on his shoulder, was one of the toucans he had seen earlier. His mother motioned to the couch in between the one where the man sat and the one where she herself was sitting. He did as he was told and looked at those around him. He felt his face reddening, under the pressure of those staring at him.
“Xander dear, this is Professor Gregory Amiteus, he’s a teacher at—“ his mother took a deep gulp and seemed to be incapable of continuing. Xander turned to his step-dad, but he too seemed to think that speaking was a bit much. Professor Amiteus, however, seemed to be giddy with excitement.
“Oh, don’t bother dear, I’ll tell the boy. You’re probably under enough trouble digesting what I’ve just told you.” Amiteus doubled over in laughter and the toucan seemed to almost lose its balance. Amiteus wiped a tear from his eye and shifted on the couch so that he was now facing Xander.
“M’boy, I am a teacher at a very special school, and I have been sent here today to inform you that you have been chosen to attend and give you all the information you might need to know.” Xander furrowed his brow and turned to his parents, both of whom still looked shocked.
“Are you from Pacific Coast Prep? Because if you are, we already declined the offer last time you wrote us.” Xander was used to getting letters from private schools that wanted him to attend. It was just that none of them had ever sent recruiters.
“Oh no m’boy, I’m not from any of those private muggle schools you all deal with. No, I’m from… well, perhaps it would be easier if I just gave you a little example” The question of what exactly a muggle was, was wiped from his mind when Amiteus withdrew from his robes a long piece of wood, what looked like mahogany. He tapped the rim of his empty teacup three times and muttered something under his breath. Large blue flames erupted from inside the cup and burned brilliantly of their own accord. Xander’s face could not have truly shown how shocked he was at that moment. He scooted forwards in the couch a bit, extending a hand towards the flames. He could feel the intense heat radiating off of them. They were real.
“Xander, I am Professor of Charms at Dragonsflame Academy of Sorcery, a school for witches and wizards. I have been sent here today to inform you that you have been selected to attend our school so that you can learn to hone your skills as a wizard and progress your magical knowledge.” Xander could feel his eyes widened. He was sure he had just misheard this man. Because, had he understood him correctly, that would mean that he was a wizard, and that surly couldn’t be right.
“Did… um… did you just say that I’m a—“ He now knew how his mother felt. He couldn’t bring himself to say it. Amiteus however, simply smiled again and removed the blue envelope from the toucan’s leg and reached across to Xander, who took it tentatively. It was very thick and made of heavy parchment. On the front written in violet ink was:
“To Mr. Xander Michaels, 2323 Crescent Court, Laguna Beach California” There was no stamp and no return address. He flipped the envelope over to open it, and sealing it was equally violet wax, emblazoned with the schools crest. Two crossed wands making four spaces, an animal residing in each. A falcon, a tiger, a wolf, and a spider.
“They each represent one of the four school houses into which every student is sorted.” Amiteus was staring at Xander and he examined the wax seal. “Falconsflight. Tigersclaw. Spidersilk. Wolfsfang. You too will be sorted into one of these houses. Should you choose to attend of course.” Xander nodded, to acknowledge what Amiteus had said. And pulled apart the seal. Inside were two thick sheets of yellow parchment. Xander unfolded the two and read the first.
“Dear Mr. Michaels,
It’s is my sincere pleasure to inform you that you have been accepted at Dragonsflame Academy of Sorcery. Enclosed is a list of all of necessary books and equipment, which you will need to purchase before the start of term.
Term begins on September 1st and we expect your response by no later than July 31st.

Greatly awaiting your reply,
Jenalyn Nuual
Headmistress
Order of Merlin, First Class
Grand Sorceress
International Confederation of Wizards”

Xander looked up at the beaming Amiteus and then turned to his parents, both of whom were now staring at him. “Did you… know about this? Know about… me…?” His mother made to shake her head but Amiteus cut her off.
“Oh no, they wouldn’t. You see, there hasn’t been a witch or wizard in your family since your great uncle Alexander, which coincidentally, is why I’m here today. You see, your uncle Alexander very recently passed away.” Amiteus looked into his lap for a brief moment as though to honor his name. “He was a great wizard that one. Taught me back in his days as a teacher. He was a great man. Half the books in the school library were written by him. Well, anyway, in his will, he left specific information about what to do with his estate. He made it perfectly clear that all his worldly possessions be left to the first witch or wizard in the family to attend Dragonsflame after his death. Well, as I said, you’re the first non-muggle since your great Uncle, and so therefore, that means that it all goes to you. That is, assuming of course that you accept your place at Dragonsflame.” At that moment, more thoughts than any one mind could possibly handle began racing through his mind. This surely was a hoax. His parents had paid some man to dress up and pretend to be a wizard. The flames were probably fueled by a propane tank under the table. None of this could really be happening. Not to him. Not to someone who had, until this very moment led a perfectly normal life. He had certainly never shown any exemplary skill at magic. In fact, he was rather fond of making fun of those crackpot magicians he saw on TV. But this guy wasn’t like them. He seemed different. He seemed, more real. And as he thought about it, his parents would never make him believe he had an uncle who had just died. Could this really be happening?
“Um… uh… OK, so let me see if I’ve got this all straight. First off, I’m a… a… a wizard…” the word had suddenly become incredibly difficult for him to say, “and I’ve been chosen to go to this school, erm… Dragonsflame was it? Uh, yeah. And this school teaches… witches… and wizards… to learn how to… do magic. And furthermore, I’m the great nephew of some really great wizard, and he left me everything he owns. But only if I accept to go this school… right…?”
“Right-O m’boy! Not surprised you caught on so quickly. Your uncle was a sharp one. I’m sure you’ve got some of that spark in you somewhere.” Amiteus beamed at Xander, who felt that he himself couldn’t stop from smiling. Regardless if this was a joke or true or not, it all seemed very interesting. His eyes fell upon the blue flames, still burning resolutely in the teacup.
“And if I go to this school of yours, I’ll… I’ll learn to do stuff like that?” He pointed at the flames.
“Of course! That’s only the basics! Barely first year stuff! Oh, you’ll learn to brew sleeping potions, and turn rabbits into garden hedges, and handle unicorns, and fly! Oh I’ll bet your brilliant on a broom. Your uncle never played for any national quidditch teams, only for the fun of it, but he was great at it nonetheless. Wouldn’t be surprised if you made your houses team. You have the body of a seeker, but I dare say you’d make a fine chaser too. Bit too thin for a good beater, and keepers are typically a bit taller. Oh, but you’ll learn all about quidditch soon enough.” Amiteus seemed to be sizing Xander up, looking at him with one eye squinting and the other looking through a box made by his two thumbs and forefingers. “Oh! But, could your sudden curiosity mean that you’re accepting? That you’re going to go to Dragonsflame?”
Xander looked back down at the parchment and read the acceptance letter again quickly. It all seemed too fantastic, but this professor seemed genuine. And even if this was all some joke, there was nothing to be lost by him playing into it.
“Well, erm… if it’s OK with you guys… I guess I would like to… yeah…” The second the words had left his mouth, Amiteus leapt to his feet, clapped his hands together as though closing the matter, sending the toucan flying off his shoulder out an open window, and beamed at Xander.
“Excellent! Knew you’d say yes! You’ll love it at Dragonsflame, just know you will. Well then, must be getting on. Need to inform Jenalyn that you’ll be attending. She’ll be thrilled. She was a good friend of your uncles, yes…” He reached into his robes absentmindedly and withdrew a small handful of glittering powder, which he then threw into the burning fireplace, causing the flames to turn as green as the robes he was wearing.
“I’ll be along to pick you up tomorrow around ten-ish so that I can take you to Starcrest. Wouldn’t want you jumping into the wizarding world headfirst would I? Plus we’ve got to hammer out the fine details of your uncle’s estate. But we’ll discuss that more tomorrow!” And with that he placed his foot in the fire, but seemed not to burn.
“Erm… shopping?” He stared at the man who was now standing in the green flames as though this was perfectly normal.
“Second page m’boy, second page!” And with that, his body began to spin very quickly, and then he was gone. The flames returned to normal, and Xander was left with much to ponder. However, one thing was for sure, he would certainly be having an interesting summer.

“Alexandria!” snapped a voice. Alex lifted her head tiredly, looking up at her Maths teacher. The woman was tall, elegant and beautiful with gorgeous honey coloured skin. But she was still an evil conniving devil in Alex’s eyes.
“Yes Ms Titha?”
“When you are in detention, you should not be sleeping!”
A dark haired boy sitting across the room glanced at the two females. “Leave her alone, she’s always here,”
“Nicholas Demarka, do not interfere! This is between me and Alexandria!”
“Bet you couldn’t remember her whole name,” remarked the boy, his misty green eyes sparkling mischievously.

As Ms Titha spluttered in embarrassment, Alex snorted. She grinned at the guy, and he winked.

“You’re both dismissed. And Nicholas Demarka, I’ll be expecting here tomorrow for your insolence,”
“Yeah yeah,” the guy muttered, swinging his bag onto his shoulder. He waited just outside the door as Alex struggled with her coat, sniggering quietly.
Scrunching up her nose, Alex finally shrugged on her bag and rushed out to join him. “You idiot Nick,” she half-laughed. “That was our last of summer detention! How am I meant to get in there tomorrow?”
Nick shrugged, grinning. “You’ll figure something out, you’re my Skiski,”
“Stop calling me that!”
“Nah, don’t think I will,”

Alex glanced at Nick out of the corner of her eye. He was about a foot taller than her and pretty lanky. Alex knew he was a fast runner and a good fighter. He had brown hair, with natural black lowlights and unnatural black tips. His ‘Emo’ haircut hung in his misty green eyes constantly, and there were several piercings in the cartilage of his right ear. He certainly was not a normal thirteen year old.
But Alex had known him since she was two, and he was easily her best friend.

Finally noticing her glance, Nick shoved her lightly. “’Sup Skiski?”
“Your eyeliner’s smudged,”
“Ah,” Nick paused trying to remove the smudge without a mirror. “It gone?”
“Yeah,”
“So what’s really up?”
“I don't know,” she shrugged. “I just feel like it’s ending, you know? Like we’re not gonna go to the same School when the new year starts up,”
“How come? We’ve been going to the same school since you started,”
“Yeah, thanks to you being kept behind two years!”
“I just wanted to stay with my best Skiski,”
“Stop calling me that!”
“But I don’t wanna,” Nick mumbled, pouting at Alex. Suddenly, she remembered the one threat she could actually use on him.
“I’ll tell Marine about the blue teddy bear!”
“You wouldn’t!”
“You keep telling yourself that,”

Nick stopped suddenly, staring at Alex. “Are you coming to my house or something?”
“Wha?”
“We’re halfway to my house,”
“Eh, guess I’ll come over,” Alex shrugged.

She and Nick had barely started walking again when her phone rang. She flipped open her phone instantly. “Hi, this is Alex and if you don’t know my second name, I’m not here right now,”
“You got in!!”
“What? Mum is that you?”
“Baby! You got in!”
“Got in where? What’re you talking about?”
“Dragonsflame!!”
“Mum, you’re not making sense,”
“Come home!!”
“Okay, okay, bye,”
“Bye bye honey!”

“Everything okay?” Nick asked softly, his warm green eyes worried. Alex smiled wanly.
“It’s fine, I gotta go home,”
Before Nick could say another word, Alex raced off. He didn’t even try to catch up with her – he could tell she didn’t want to be disturbed.

The scenery blurred past her as she ran, her feet pounding on the paving stones. She tripped on a curbstone, slamming into the ground. Instantly she jumped up, running with the same reckless abandon as before, ignoring the trail of blood she left behind.

She finally smashed into a woman with the same dark hair and searing blue eyes, sending them both crashing to the ground.
“Mum,” she panted, her voice hoarse, beads of sweat dripping into her eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“You got in!!”
“You said that before,” she mumbled, wiping her forehead with a torn sleeve. For the first time she noticed the large graze on her forearm. Blood dripped from the abrasion, and it was smeared with dirt.

With her mother still squealing behind her, she trooped into the house. It was a fair sized place, with high ceilings and spacious rooms. Unfortunately, every surfaced was cluttered with sculptures and ornaments. Amateur artwork hung from every wall, handmade mobiles dangled from the ceiling.
The room was so cluttered that it seemed impossible to traverse it. But with natural skill, Alex dart between the objects, somehow not disturbing a single one. Her mother followed behind, moving things around ever so slightly to make the going easier.

Upstairs Alex washed the blood from her arm, cleaning the cut with antiseptic cream before wrapping it in bandages. She turned to leave the bathroom, almost bumping into her mother again.

“I’m so proud of you baby!!”
“For what?”
“You got in!!”
“Into what?!” Alex snapped her patience finally exhausted. Her mother waved a thick, yellow tinted envelope in her face. Her name was beautifully transcribed in violet ink on, and her address scrawled in cramped handwriting underneath.

She grabbed the envelope, flipping it over. The seal – a wolf, a tiger a spider and a falcon separated by two wands – was broken. She recognised it instantly.
“Dragonsflame Academy? I got into Dragonsflame?”
“Yes!! I’m so proud of you baby!”
“But... what about Nick?”
“He’ll be fine. It’s unhealthy how much you two depend on each other. This’ll be good for both of you,”
“I guess... promise you’ll forward all of our letters?”
“’Course baby,”
“Fine, I’ll go,” sighed Alex, resigning herself to her fate. Taking a deep breath she edged around her mother and pushed her way into her bedroom. Pushing through the clutter, and dropping more than a few things, she scrabbled for her cordless connection.

Hurriedly she dialled a number, having to redial the familiar digits three times before she got it right.
“Hey Skiski,”
“Nicky...”
“What’s wrong?” she noticed the instant worry in his voice, and could imagine the look on his face. Falling back on her bed, she took a deep breath. As she wondered how to begin, her eyes settled on her easel, and the sketch on it. She’d been planning on starting to paint it tomorrow.
“I... got into a special school... and... I’m going there next year...”

"HAVE A ROCK FOR YOUR COLLECTION!" a voice yelled, as a grey blob came hurling through the air. As it made impact, the boy running was lucky to be behind a tree, or it would have made for a nasty cut. As the rock hit, he made a dash for the Mahogany door to his left, and quickly slammed it behind him. The house, which was built out of Mahogany wood, with the same type of flooring, had an majestic, yet simple, style to it. The boy's parents weren't rich, yet they weren't poor either, so it is likely they could afford this house. A dining room table sat in the room directly north of the door, and to the east was the living room, with three couches and big screen television. The stairs were in the middle of the two rooms, and behind the dining room was a door leading to the Kitchen. A large light fixture set in the middle of all the rooms illuminating every portion of the house.

"What's wrong?" A man asked, pulling the paper down from his face as he stared at the boy.

"John took my Bike" He said, giving the man, who obviously was his Dad, a indifferent look, like it has happened before.

"We'll..buy you a new one for Christmas." His Dad said, sighing.

"Daniel." A Women's voice said, having tones of excitement and sadness that they seemed to contradict each other. "A letter came for Peter."

"Oh really?" He said, taking the letter and opening it. HIs face beamed, and he got up, giving the boy a beaming look, then changing it to a look of fury.

"Young man," He said, grabbing the boy, "you're in big trouble." Taking his belt, he lifted it up, and then hugged the boy after a second of silent anticipation. "You need school robes!"

"What?" Peter said, obviously surprised.

"You got into Dragonsflame!" His Dad yelled, handing him the letter. Peter took it, and opened it to the writing:

“Dear Mr. Fletcher,
It’s is my sincere pleasure to inform you that you have been accepted at Dragonsflame Academy of Sorcery. Enclosed is a list of all of necessary books and equipment, which you will need to purchase before the start of term.
Term begins on September 1st and we expect your response by no later than July 31st.

Greatly awaiting your reply,
Jenalyn Nuual
Headmistress
Order of Merlin, First Class
Grand Sorceress
International Confederation of Wizards”

"So Small Fry got in?" A voice from upstairs called. One of his brothers, Matthew, stood there, eating an Orange. "Grats." He said, then walked away.

"Would it kill him to be more enthusiastic for once?" His Mom said, staring up at where Matthew was just standing.

"I'm going to make a HUGE Dinner, and then we are going to celebrate this by getting tons of ice cream.." His Dad said, moving away from him and entering the kitchen, soon followed by his Mom. His Dad goes crazy when his kids get sent to Dragonsflame.


OOC:

Cassie

A young girl of eleven years walked down the street, tuning out the desolate world of Detroit with the aid of Angels & Airwaves and a pair of headphones. She passed by abandoned homes and overgrown lawns, kicking pieces of trash out of her way as she continued her journey home.

School that day had not gone too well for Cassie Mercer. She tucked a strand of copper red hair behind her ear and sighed as she looked up at the stunning blue and cloudless sky. A group of kids were teasing her again, for pointless and self-promoting reasons to make themselves feel all that much better about their equally crappy lives. Growing up in Detroit wasn't the most ideal place for ambitions or dreams, and they certainly didn't harbor themselves inside people like Marley Goodwin.

Marley and her posse of six other kids always picked on her. Cassie did her best to ignore them, but sometimes it wasn't efficient. Some things said were too harsh to turn the other cheek.

Today after school, Cassie had been jumped by a few of her friends and was hit a few times but nothing too serious. She could already tell she was going to have a nice shiner around her eye that night and her lip was split; but the other kids were much worse off than she was.

Jaquie wouldn't approve of Cassie's behavior today, but enough was enough. When others tease her, she has learned to easily ignore it... but once they start attacking the shape of her home and her mother, she can't help herself. And Jaquie new that. It still didn't mean that Cassie was going to get off easy.

She quietly turned onto the short walk-way leading up to their small house with peeling white paint but a welcomed sight all the same. She opened the creaking screen door and stepped into the house.

"Jaquie, I'm home," she called into the house of warm colors and comfy furniture. There wasn't much, but it was enough.

"In the kitchen," replied a voice.

Cassie dropped her backpack on the couch, stroked the cat as he jumped up onto the chair to greet her, and proceeded into the kitchen. Standing at the oven, hunched over to look inside it's contents was Cassie's adoptive mother. She was in her 50s with long silver hair tied back into a half pony-tail. To Cassie, Jaquie Mercer was still as beautiful and graceful as ever. Her caramel skin and strangely striking blue eyes made her look as spirited as the day she was born.

"Smells good," Cassie said, sitting at the small breakfast table in the corner. Jaquie chuckled and lifted the last batch of cookies onto the rangetop to cool.

"I'm taking them to the orphanage tonight. Mrs. Freeson said that--" she stopped mid-sentence and stared at Cassie, who quickly avoided her gaze.

"Cassie Ann Mercer! What happened?!"

"I fell," Cassie lied, still looking anywhere but at Jaquie.

Jaquie wetted a cloth and pressed it to Cassie's slightly bleeding lip. She winced in pain and retracted her head for a second. "Oh, don't be a baby," she scolded. I've had worse, Cassie thought, morosely. "Was that Marley girl bothering you again?" Jaquie asked.

Cassie didn't reply, but due to the silence Jaquie had her answer. She clicked her teeth and walked back over to the sink. The two spent a few minutes in silence as Cassie put her head down on the table. She'd worked so hard keeping herself reserved. She'd worked so hard to keep that past away.

Something suddenly touched her hand and she jerked her head up, startled. Her eyes grew wide as saw that it was Jaquie who was holding her hand tightly. She instantly calmed, That past is gone...

Jaquie gazed deeply into Cassie's eyes and said sincerely, "Cassie... I know bad things have happened to you, but you can't be afraid anymore."

Cassies eyes grew wide again, staring at the table in front of her. All of those horrible memories flashing through her head at once. Her heart rate began to rise and her palms began to sweat. She was visibly afraid. Of what? Hardly anyone knew.

"But, Cassie... Hey, look at me."

Cassie slowly did as she was told, her hazel eyes still round as saucers.

"But you're safe now. Trust me."

Cassie blinked a few times, tears beginning to well in her eyes. She lowered her head again and Jaquie grasped Cassie into a tight hug. Cassie had come a long way from growing up in such a violent household and Jaquie was proud of her for that.

"There's something else I need to tell you," Jaquie said, finally releasing her.

Cassie wiped her eyes and sniffed, "Yeah?"

"This came for you this morning," Jaquie said, pulling out a blue envelope with violet ink on the front.

Ms. Cassie Mercer
3560 West Park Lane
Detroit, Michigan

"What's this?" she asked, flipping the envelope over and examining the intricate seal on the back.

"It's your future," Jaquie said, watching Cassie.

"What?" Cassie asked, ripping the seal and unfolding the papers inside.

She read over the hand-written letter two or three times before looking up and asking with an amused smirk, "Is this some kind of joke?"

Jaquie replied, "Crazy as it may seem, this is no joke. As of now, you're of age to attend my old alma mater. I received a letter much like this one way back when I was your age, but instead I came from a pureblooded family. I was expected to go. I never really had a choice. My favorite class was Transfiguration... I wonder if old Carrows is still there," she chuckled to herself for a moment and then continued, "I could never really grasp onto Herbology though, but never the less I worked for the Ministry as an Auror for quite some time before finally retiring."

Cassie's face quickly fell and she looked back down at the letter. After a long pause, Cassie's shoulders began to shake. At first it was silent, then pretty soon she began laughing in loud, hard guffaws. She continued until tears began streaming down her face again.

Jaquie sat in the chair indignantly, watching Cassie have a good laugh before she finally calmed.

She wiped her eyes and said, "Man, Jaquie. You had me for a second. Heh... That was pretty good. Maybe I could use something like that in my next creative writing essay."

"Oh, you think it's funny, do you?" Jaquie said, raising her eye brows.

Cassie smiled and said, "Nice try, Jaquie. Maybe next time. Right now I have to get started on my homewo--"

In a flash, Jaquie was clutching onto a long stick and shouted, "Accio backpack!"

Cassie's face dropped and she turned to face the doorway as her packpack came flying into the room. Jaquie held her hand above her head and snatched it from the air.

"Here you go," she said, handing it to her.

"Holy sh--" Cassie began, her mouth hanging open, but Jaquie stopped her.

"Don't you dare."

OOC: Shplegh! There are eight of us and only four have posted... Tsk Tsk kiddies... Tsk Tsk... For the sake of moving things along, I'll do my next post...

Oh, and KINOSHINTA I realized that I didn't mention this earlier, but you are also ACCEPTED!

IC: The sun rose with a rosy tinge to it. Xander’s alarm clock beeped silently as the numbers rolled over again and turned to seven. Xander however, had already been up for three hours, sitting stock still in the middle of the living room in front of the fireplace. The strange happenings of the following day had proved for some interesting dreams that night. Things with many legs singing songs and brooms dancing to music played flying backpacks. This perhaps, played a role in him waking up at the crack of four. He wasn’t quite sure what time that Professor Amiteus of Dragonsflame Academy of Sorcery would be coming to pick up to go shopping. Even more unknown was where they would be going to pick up all the necessities for his year to come. Where did wizards and witches purchase magical goods? Surely there wasn’t a wizard’s section in Wal-Mart, and he was certain he’d never seen a section of Mervyns devoted to robes.

Xander picked up the piece of paper that told all the necessities of first year students. He had read it enough times that he could now recite it by heart. He had to squint to read the violet inking in the dim light.

Uniform

1. Three sets of plain robes for day wear (Standard Dragonsflame style of silver threading)
2. One pair of protective gloves (Dragons hide preferably or similar material)
3. One winter over cloak (white with fur trimming)

Course Books

All students should have a copy of each of the following:

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
A Beginner’s Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Aaaresnius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble
North American Dueling Societies, Beginning Dueling by Alexander Michaels
Other Equipment

1 Wand
1 Cauldron (pewter, standard size 3)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales

In addition to the compulsory equipment, students would be well advised to also invest in:
Quills
Ink
Parchment
Bag
Pencil (or indeed quill) case

Students may also bring an owl, a cat, a toad, or any other pre-approved magical creature. It is also to be reminded that first year students may not bring their own brooms to school.


It all seemed to fantastic to really be true. Everything looked to be in order, but… something about it just made him feel like Amiteus would never come back, that he would just sit their in that living room all day long, feeling like an idiot. It was now seven thirty, and still no Amiteus. Eight, eight-thirty, nine, nine fif-
Brilliant emerald flames erupted into the fireplace before him. Towards the center of the flames, some twirled, slowly growing in size until the form of a large man stepped from the flames, dusting soot from his crimson robes. Standing before Xander now was Professor Amiteus, still as hulking as ever, and no less old. When he was sure he had cleaned himself of all soot, he turned his gaze upon Xander, who was staring quite dumb struck at the man who seemed to be capable of travel via fire.
“Xander, m’boy! Good to see you! Hope you slept well; we’ve got quite a day ahead of us. And as I always like to say, there is no time for dilly-dallying when the present keeps turning into the past!” Amiteus chuckled silently to himself, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye.
“Now then, step forward, step forward. Seeing as how you’re unable to apparate, we’ll be traveling by floo powder today. Now then, floo powder is this magnificent little glitter right here.” Amiteus withdrew his hand from his robes and held a small glass jar full of glittering dust. Xander took the jar tentatively and looked at it closely. It was very sparkly and seemed to make diamonds look dull.
“What you do, is take a small handful, toss it into the fire, and when the flames turn green, step into them. Don’t worry m’boy, don’t worry. They won’t burn you. Once you’re completely in the flames, I want you to say, very clearly now, St. Ides Estate. Got that? St. Ides Estate. Keep your arms tucked in too; it’ll save you some pain. Now, then you think you’ve got that under control?” Xander nodded, though not fully sure of himself, and took a small handful of the glittering dust. His hand shook and he threw it into the grate and immediately those same flames erupted in that instant, and tentatively stepped into them. They were warm, but not hot.

"Moonsilver Estate!" The world around him spun quickly, making him slightly woozy. Every now and then he would catch glimpses of other households, apparently from the position of their fireplaces. However, the experience was not a long one. Almost as quickly as it had come, it had stopped. The spinning slowed, and before he knew he was stepping out of the fire. Xander now stood in quite possibly the most wonderful place he had ever seen before in his life. High ceilings like those seen in cathedrals gave him the impression that he was looking at the world from the perspective of an ant. Hundreds of paintings lined the walls. Paintings of knowledgeable looking men and women, of strange creatures he had never seen, of far places the likes of which he had only ever seen before in story books. What was more, is the inhabitants of the paintings were moving. Between the frames and having conversations, some people even walking out one end of the frame and disappearing completely. On the very top of the ceiling was what looked like a miniaturized version of the universe. Clusters of stars mimicked diamonds suspended in mid-air. Planets swirled and comets rushed past. It was the most stunning thing Xander had ever seen before in his life. Against one wall, large windows the size of an SUV gave a view of an ocean so perfect, it couldn’t possibly be real. The crystal blue water gave view to great coral reefs and magnificent creatures swimming within its depths. Frothy waves crashed softly against cloud white sand that looked like it couldn’t possibly course. Xander couldn’t help but press his face against the glass. Out of the corner of his eye, he could just see the edge of a forest where the sand met the trees.

"It is a paradise, isn't it?" Xander turned around in shock. There stood Amiteus, the last of the green flames dying away. His round face was smiling broadly and he now more than ever looked old. Xander saw now the lines in face more prominently. But he looked fatherly at the same time. The twinkle in his eyes sparkled in the sunlight seeping through the windows. Xander nodded absent-mindedly in response.

"Where are we?" It was the only way he could really sum up his feeling at the moment without drooling on himself. Amiteus simply laughed.

"We are at Moonsilver Estate, located in Maryland. This, m'boy, is where your great uncle lived. And all that lies with in its walls, and everything within a five-hundred mile radius, now belongs, to you m'boy." Xander's eyes widened in shock. It was impossible. This couldn't all be his. It was hard enough to believe that he was a wizard, but to be a wealthy wizard as well? Surely now there had been some sort of a mistake?

"Ah! So is this young man the new master?" Xander now noticed that all the chatter amongst the portraits that had acted as background sound had stopped. All eyes were now on him, some occasionally darting over to Amiteus to see how he responded.

"Yes Olivia, this is Xander, Alex's great nephew." The woman who had asked the question now beamed at Xander and scurried out of her portrait. Many of the others did the same, darting from frame to frame until more than fifty people were all squished uncomfortably into a large painting of a country scene, some no more than a pair of eyes poking out from behind the gold frame. The woman named Olivia was at the front of them all.

"Oh splendid! He does look like him when he was younger. Oh and how happy Luna will be! She's been singing that mournful song for weeks now. No one on the grounds has been chipper at all in what seems like forever!"

"Alfred says she's coming now!" Squeaked a small man who was squished into the corner of the frame."

"Oh good, very good. She's the main reason I brought you here today." Xander blinked in confusion. He really had no idea who or what a "Luna" was. He did not, however, have to wait long to have his question answered. At that moment, a swishing sound echoed through the open room. From one of the open doorways that led to the rest of the house, a flash of gold rushed in, circled a couple of times, and came to rest on Xander's arm, which had outstretched itself automatically. On his arm now sat on of the most beautiful things he had ever seen in his life. A large bird the size of a swan stared up at him with calming black eyes. The bird seemed to radiate of warmth, and somehow, the sight of her made Xander feel calm, at peace with himself. Its golden and deep blue feathers were long, and its tail almost reached the floor.

"Xander, I'd like you to meet Luna the phoenix. She was your uncle's. And now, she is loyal to you. It was as your uncle wished." Luna let out a long musical sound.

"She's mine?" Xander couldn't help himself from blurting out.

"Hmm, I suppose that isn't really the proper way to phrase it. Phoenix's do not really belong to anyone. They are loyal companions. They confidants and--"

"--a friend. Yeah... I know what you mean."

"And what’s more, Professor Nuual has already said that you will be allowed to take her to school with you. I suppose that saves you the trouble of using an owl, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah…” Xander stood there, in a state of shock, staring at the bird he now held.

“Well then, that’s enough of that. We really should be getting to Starcrest to do your shopping. Ah! But this is perfect, we can have you try out Luna’s powers!”

“What do you mean Professor?” Xander hadn’t even thought of the possibility that the bird could have any powers. It was already enough that she was there.

“Ah, you see, phoenix’s are capable of moving from place to place in a fashion similar to apparation. What you need to do is take hold of her tail feathers. Don’t fret, don’t fret, it won’t hurt her. Now, next you think hard of the place you want to go, Starcrest port. Then, when you think you’ve got it, pull. Got that?” Xander shook his head tentatively. It was bad enough traveling by fireplaces, but simply disappearing and reappearing in once place was another. However, he did as he was told. He said the word “Starcrest” over and over again in his head. When he thought he couldn’t think it any more, he pulled on the birds feathers. The sensation was very much unlike floo powder. His body felt like it was surrounded by warmth, and that it was being lifted into the air. Surely this was what it felt like to fly. But less than a second later, it was over, and he stood now in the middle of packed street. He seemed to be in some seaside town. If things were interesting enough yet, there were about to be.



Amiteus appeared shortly after and the two began their shopping. Luna had flown off and awaited Xanders return in the room Amiteus had reserved for him at the local inn. They first traveled to the wizard’s bank to retrieve some of the money his uncle had left him. Xander couldn’t help but squeak in shock upon learning that eighty-seven of the bank vaults had been devoted to holding all of his recently acquired riches. After retrieving his money, Xander proceeded to shop. It was fantastic. He purchased his wand, (11 ½ inches, willow, core of sphinx feather), bought a set of school robes, potion necessities, scales, cauldron and the like. When Xander reached the magical bookstore, he couldn’t find it himself to resist. He left two hours later, closely followed by three storage trunks full of books. As the day came to a close, Amiteus led Xander to the inn where he was to stay that night. He was given instructions about the train the next day, and was wished luck.

Xander lugged his trunks slowly up the stairs, making more noise than could be helped. He finally came to his room, and collapsed onto the bed, his head swimming with happy memories. It had been the best day of his life, and he was sure that he would not be sleeping tonight. It would be miracle if he even stopped smiling. And tomorrow, he got to go to school…

OOC:

IC:

It was a normal sunny day in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The sky was perfectly clear and people were bustling around Smith's the local supermarket. "...can you belive that Conner?!" Conner had been walking around with a few of his close friends all day and enjoying his last few months with them before he had to go off to Dragonsflame Academy. "Yeah... Yeah... Unbelivable..."

It happened about a week ago. His letter had come and everything come crashing around him. His father had just retrived the mail from the postbox and Conner was just hanging out in his room. "Conner, honey? Can you come down please?" His mother called. Conner leapt out of his bed and dashed downstairs to find his mom and dad sitting near the dining room table with a blue envelope in hand. He walked towards his parents as his dad held out the envelope.

"It's for you son..." His father said in a nervous tone. "For me?" His dad nodded. Conner looked down and saw that there was no stamp and that there was no return address. All it simply said was:

Mr. Conner McKnight
4300 Eagle Ridge Road
Albuquerque, New Mexico

He raised an eyebrow as he read it over again and carefully opened it. "Who would call me "Mr."? I'm not that old..." He pulled out two pieces of white parchment folded neatly and immeadiatly opened it.

“Dear Mr. McKnight,
It's is my sincere pleasure to inform you that you have been accepted at Dragonsflame Academy of Sorcery. Enclosed is a list of all of necessary books and equipment, which you will need to purchase before the start of term.
Term begins on September first and we expect your response by no later than July thirty-first.

Greatly awaiting your reply,
Jenalyn Nuual
Headmistress
Order of Merlin, First Class
Grand Sorceress
International Confederation of Wizards”

Order of Merlin? Dragonsflame academy? Sorcery? None of this made any sense to him. But then it hit him. "Mom," he said nervously, "does this mean I'm being sent away? What did I-"
His mother had hugged him tightly and kissed him on the forehead. "No! Your father and I aren't sending you away... We... I..." She was at a loss for words it seemed like she didn't know what to say. "Maria... You need to tell him..." Conner's father said. Conner felt his mother loosen her grip and back off. She got on her knees and looked him straight in the eye. "Honey, do you remember the time I told you that I was a witch?"

"Yeah..." he replied hesitantly. "And do you remember the time when Brad, that bully made you mad and you sent him flying off the edge of that arroyo and into the water?" Conner nodded. "Well..."

"Well that means you are a wizard." His father said aloud. "Look son it's my fault that we have'nt told you until now. I... I just wanted to let you have a normal childhood growing up and..."

"Watch out!" Conner felt someone tug on his arm. "Huh?!" He shook his head and looked around. A truck zipped by him and it took a second for him to realize where he was. His mind had been wandering and he had missed out on the entire conversation with his friends. But he didn't care much the only thing on his mind was the fact that he was going to see other wizards and witches tommorow.

Alex yawned, rubbing her eyes. Around her the familiar bustle of Starcrest port continued unperturbed, witches and wizards pushing past her with little care.
“Baby!! Keep up!” squealed her mother. Alex simply yawned at the bubbly thirty year old. Not only had she been dragged out of bed at four in the morning, after the first shop or so her mother had forgotten about the school list. Currently they were buying some very beautiful but completely useless crystal cauldrons.

As she was dragged off to yet another shop, Alex began dozing on her feet. It was getting dark in the comfortably busy port.
Waving off several punters Alex darted after her mother. The Winters were one of the richest and most noticeable wizarding families. It was less well known that they rarely spent much of the money at their disposal.

“This would look great on you Baby,”
Sleepily Alex glanced at the robes. “It’s blue,”
“So?”
“We’re shopping for my school things...”
“But you look so good in blue!”
“Well, take it up with the school,”
“I will,” Terra Winters decided resolutely. Alex’s head instantly popped up, her brilliant eyes widened.
“I didn’t mean seriously!! I don’t want anyone knowing I’m a Winters!”
“But Baby, you have the eyes,”
“Oh come on,” Alex scoffed. “Bright blue eyes aren’t that strange,”
“Long, black eyelashes, very bright, soul searching and bigger than normal,”
“They’re not that big... and I have black hair anyways! And we live in the age of mascara, in case you’ve forgotten,”
“You hate makeup,”
“They don’t know that,”
“Who are ‘they’?”
“The leeches that bugged Matt. And how come he got to go to Aunty Zara’s?”
“Well he had the sense to shop earlier on,”

Muttering obscure would-be curses under her breath, Alex followed her mother into the dressing room.

“Now try on these lovely robes,”
“They’re blue!”
“What’s wrong with that?”
Alex sighed, flicking her hair out of her eyes. “Mum, please just give me the money. I’ll buy everything and give you all the change. Guarantee,”
“Are you sure you don’t need help?”
“Yes,”
“But baby, you have such bad taste,”
“Thanks mum. Thanks a lot,” muttered Alex. Putting a finger to her lips, Terra regarded her daughter. For a long moment they stared at each other, but then Terra handed the purse of Galleons to Alex, and the younger girl beamed.

In moments the two females parted, silently agreeing to meet up in the main street in an hour or so. And in that hour Alex had finished her shopping and was ready to go home, explain to Nick why she couldn’t sneak into detention and finally sleep.
But unfortunately she was kept waiting for almost another hour by her mother.

“There’s the cutest little cat thing in the pet shop!” Terra beamed.
“I’m taking Cerberus,”
“But I thought you didn’t want to be noticed,”
“Cerberus has saved my life a ton,” Alex muttered, crossing her arms.
“But baby...”
“And anyways, if he wears that special collar then only people with a lot of power will be able to see all three of his heads. He’s not big or anything, and he’d take care of me no matter what,”
“Well there’s no reason not to, I’ll send an owl to Professor Nuual. The teachers will have to be warned, even if you don’t want the students to know,”
“Teachers I don’t mind. Weirdoes pretending to be my friends for money, I do,”
“If that’s what you want Baby. Well come now, we have to get home,”


((Sorry it's kinda crappy, I'm writing this past midnight. I know I should have waited till morning so it was good and all, but I had to))

Name: Chrystelle Phrotus

Gender: Female

Age: 11

D.O.B.: October 7, 1994

Height: 4'4''

Weight: 107 lbs.

Eye Color: light Green

Hair Color: Dark Brown

Build: lean and slender

State of Origin: Arizona

Parentage: Half- Blood, muggle mother, wizard father

Known Family: Father

Desired House: Falconsflight

Quidditch Position (If Played): Doesn't Play

Hobbies: Collecting porcelain dolls, eating (especially alot of sweets), painting

Religious Orientation: Christian

Physical Description: A lean, slender build with pale white skin, medium-long dark brown hair that comes down to her back, normally tied back in a braid, and light green eyes that always seemed to be filled with happiness. She is normally seen wearing a short sleeved white blouse with a black necktie around the collar, some black Bermuda shorts with black knee high socks, some black boots, and a black jacket, when not in school uniform. Chrystelle is not very tall person compared to most people in her family, standing at the height of 4'4'', giving her a somewhat cute appearance.

Personality: Chrystelle is a kind, cheerful, and sugar-happy girl who is very easy to get along with, never wanting to cuase trouble for anyone. She also eats alot of food (mostly sweets and junk food) and is very clumsy at times, sometimes tripping and falling face first into the ground, and getting back up with a smile on her face as if never even happened. Despite her happy, cheery mood, Chrystelle can also sometimes be shockingly serious when the time is needed to be serious, like in dangerous situations involving people she cares for.

Background History: Born and raised in the state of Pheonix, Arizona, Chrystelle is the only child of a muggle mother and wizard father. As a young child growing up, she was always raised by father for as long as she could remember ever since her mother had died from illness when she was five. From then on, her father tried raising her the best way that he could, making her happy in any way that he could, hoping that she could live a normal life like other child. Then six years later, one day while playing outside, her father receives a mysterious letter in the mail adressed to Chrystelle, soon to forever change her entire lifestyle.

((Is this good? If not, I'll change it.))

Jim sat in his bedroom that morning. It was dark and there was almost no heat in his room. Jim twisted and turned in his bed with the sheets over his head. Not only was it dark and cool, but he couldn't feel his toes. Jim shivered on the floor and started to rub his toes for heat. Then Jim herd the sound of feet walking to his screen door. Pretending to be asleep, as the door slided open, Jim waited for the good morning from his father. He could hear the screen door close behind his father. Then the loving old man sat on the floor, as he gave a deep grunt.

"Jim my son," He cooed to him," Their is a saying for those who fear things." Jims Father lifted the covers and started to stroke his hair. He kept stroking untill Jim pretended to get up. Jims father looked into Jims blood red eyes. "Anzuru yori umu ga yasashi," his father said as he kept on staring into his elbino sons eyes.

Jim streched out of bed and stood up on the wooden floor. He looked in the corner of his room and chuckeled to himself as he saw the books that his father picked up for him the day that they got the letter.

"Whats wrong my son."

"Oh nothing is wrong father," Jim said as he started to do his pushups on his knuckels.

"Then why are you worring my son," His father grunted to his white hair son.

"Well to tell you the truth dad," he said as he started to do sit ups," I am just... Just..."

"Just worried about who and if you are going to make friends?"

"Ya... Well," Jim stumbeled to say thats exactly what he was thinking. He sat up from the floor as he stared into the old wrinkeled asian face of his dad. He panted for a few moments and asked," How did you know?"

His father laughed," Expirence my son. Expirence." His father patted his son on the back and gave a cough.

"Dad" Jim said," Don't stress your self."

"Nonsense my son. I only cough because god wants my to."

"Ha, well then you must be popular with him then" Jim laughed and then started to be silent again. He looked at his father and his father looked back lovingly," Do you really believe that I can make friends?"

His father said in his mystical Japanese voice,"While it is always best to believe in ones self a little help from others can be a great blessing."

((I hope you don't mind me taking some creative liberty in explaining other ways of reaching Starcrest port, besides floo powder or phoenix flight. If there's a problem, I'll edit.))

Cassie

As she walked down the crowded streets of Starcrest port, Cassie couldn't breathe. It was overwhelming. Her breath had long been swept away on sight of this entirely strange but wonderful culture. The cramped and ancient buildings seemed to crowd over her, bearing down their large sings advertising new robes, wands or any other kinds of do-dads that Cassie only thought existed in fairy tales. People were shuffling passed, pressed next to each other, shoulder to shoulder, as they tried to travel down the cramped alley.

School was finally out and Cassie was excited, but most of all terribly nervous. What if they really did make a mistake? There had been nothing special about Cassie, and there probably will never be. Why start now? She was the scum of the world. A street rat. Unwanted. No matter how many times Jaquie reassured her that there was no mistake, Cassie still couldn't accept it.

After a day of traveling to California by plane, she and Jaquie had made their way down the state in a rented car packed with only a few of Cassie's personal affections. She never had many to begin with and never asked for much more. She didn't know how.

The trip down the coast was a huge shock in it of itself to Cassie. She'd never been outside her home-state, let alone near an ocean. The atmosphere was completely different. Everything was novel: new smells, new sights, and new sounds. She found that her mouth was hanging open a majority of the time, and she hadn't even reached the exciting part of her journey.

Jaquie drove up to a small and abandoned-appearing surf shack balancing dangerously close to the cliff encasing a small cove. The blue waves crashed upon the rocks in huge turrets of white and sprayed themselves high enough to be seen over the cliff's edge.

Cassie followed Jaquie out of the car and proceeded up the front steps. They creaked with age as she placed her weight on each. Cassie wondered how long this shack had sat here.

Jaquie quickly whipped out her wand, which Cassie still marveled at, and rapped sharply on the crooked door. At first, nothing happened. Cassie was about to suggest, jokingly, that she should have said 'Abracadabra.' When a small slit in the door roughly slid open and two darting brown eyes overshadowed by large, white caterpillars for eyebrows flickered quickly between the pair.

"What is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?" the eyes seemed to say with a raspy and very old voice.

"Oh, come on, Fidelus, you know it's me. Please let us through," Jaquie said, rolling her eyes.

"Answer the question, Jaquie!" he said, almost child-like.

Jaquie sighed and groaned, "24 miles per hour. Now please open the door."

The slit slammed shut and the door slowly creeked open. Jaquie pushed it forward and from inside the deep and musty room, Cassie could see a small man, hunched forward, shuffling away into the darkness.

Jaquie whispered to Cassie as he disappeared around the corner, "That's Fidelus. He's a bit of an oddball already but he has to amuse himself somehow when he's the gatekeeper to Starcrest port."

Jaquie stepped inside the dusty shack and Cassie followed close behind. The door shut by itself behind her.

Although the cabin was musty, Cassie could still see. This place was definitely ancient, but it was filled with various devices in which she could never have dreamt of before.

In the hallway, there were pictures lining the small corridor, covering the peeling wallpaper. Sitting halfway down the hall was a small table. Cassie slowed to a stop and let Jaquie continue on as she quietly observed the odd little gadgets that were perched atop it. One of them was a small lighter.

Cassie picked it up and tried to hold it up to what little light streamed in through the cracks of the roof when she flicked it. Just as she did so, a lamp hanging on the wall lit itself. Thinking it to be coincidence, she looked up and down the hall before flicking it once more. A second lamp ignited. She continued doing this until each lamp in the hall was illuminated.

Smiling to herself, she set down the lighter and her gaze was brought up to one of the pictures that was hung just in front of her. At first, she didn't catch it. Then it happened again. The middle-aged woman in the portrait blinked.

She squinted and leaned in closer, wondering if the old oil lamps were playing a trick of the light. She tilted her head to the side, curiosity briming. But her guard was let down.

"Why, hello, m'dear," the portrait said, smiling kindly down at her.

Cassie stared, slack-jawed. In half a millesecond, she ripped herself backward and slammed herself against the opposite wall with a scream.

"What's all this racket?" another picture, one of an older man, grumbled.

"Can't you see we're trying to sleep?" more piped in.

This only scared Cassie even more. Pictures were moving and talking. Both traits that these (once-thought-of) inatimate objects did not lack. They were all now bustling and talking to each other.

"Sorry, ladies and gentlemen," the sweetest voice in the world said, interrupting the confusion, "She's not used to things like this yet."

"That's quite alright," the first portrait said, nodding.

The other portraits caught on and began apologizing for their own misunderstanding. All but one.

One particularly young man, with sleek black hair brushed back out of his eyes only glared down at Cassie with striking violet eyes. As she was led away by Jaquie, he hissed out, "Stupid mudblood."

At this, Jaquie turned around. Although Cassie couldn't see her face, she knew that Jaquie was upset.

"What's a mudblood?" Cassie asked, confused. It didn't sound good anyway.

Jaquie didn't answer immediately. Instead she just slowly turned back around and muttered, "Nothing you have to worry about."

Cassie could tell that it meant "drop the subject" so she did.

"Why do you still have that picture in the hall, Fidelus?" Jaquie hissed, leading Cassie through to the main room.

"I can't get him off! He's been cemented there by some sort of jinx. Trust me, I've tried getting him down many times. He's such a drag," Fidelus said sincerely, washing a few mugs that were sitting in the sink.

Jaquie just sighed exhaspiratedly and proceeded to the back of the cottage. There, she came to a lone door situated directly in the center. It didn't look all that significant. It looked to Cassie like just any door that any other person could walk through, but she'd been wrong before.

"Well, Cassie," Jaquie said, her tone now back to it's normal cheerfulness, "Welcome to Starcrest port."

At that, she threw open the door. Cassie expected to see the dropoff of the cliff behind the cottage but what she saw instead swept her breath away.

"What would you like to buy first?" Jaquie asked, grinning at Cassie's expression.

((Wow. Long. Alright, if it needs editing. Let me know, please.))

Name: Xi Ang Fa

Gender: Female

Age: 11 and 3/4

D.O.B.: November 17, 1994

Height: 5’ 5” (and growing, she likes to point out)

Weight: 116

Eye Color: Brown

Hair Color: Black

Build: Sleek, lithe physique; muscles of a martial artist

State of Origin: New York

Parentage: Pure Blood

Known Family: Mom, Dad, two older sisters, and an older brother

Desired House: Whatever (that is, she doesn’t care).

Quidditch Position (If Played): Beater

Hobbies: Reading, practicing her martial arts, beating everyone at everything

Religious Orientation: None; doesn't care

Physical Description: Xi Ang is, as her name suggests, of Chinese descent. She has long straight, shiny black hair. While she’s not overly muscular, due to her love of martial arts, she has a somewhat muscular physique. She usually wears shorts and regular t-shirts when she’s not in school uniform. Her eyes are brown and partially covered by her long bangs. She is tall and slim, with soft skin and lips and she often has this regal air about her, like she is a queen or princess (she usually acts like one too).

Personality: A loud mouth. She says exactly what she wants, when she wants, how she wants and doesn’t think anything of it. She’s a very beautiful girl, but she is brash, blunt, and very rude and unladylike. She failed most all etiquette classes she’s been required to take and doesn’t care. She’s a show-off and has placed top of her class in all fighting classes she’s taken, including archery, fencing, and hand-to-hand martial arts. That said, she doesn’t think before doing anything and because of this, often charges into situations that are way over her head and has to be saved. Few people are allowed to call her Xi and those who do who haven’t been “approved” receive a swift kick to the crotch. Her talents include fighting, cooking, and computer things. Xi has a very strong sense of justice, and hates to see people being mistreated. When the time calls for it, she can be very kind and caring. She enjoys long baths after a hard training session, training, and reading. She dislikes arrogance, the cold, and idiocy.

Background History: Xi Ang is the fourth and final child born to a Chinese-American wizard and a Caucasian witch. Her father holds a position as one of the higher ups in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement in the Ministry of Magic. Her mother was once an Auror, but has since “retired” (that was, in fact, how they met) and is now a stay-at-home mother, though she occasionally picks the work back up for a bit, just to remind her of “the good old days.”

Despite having so many older siblings, her parents do not expect Xi to follow in their footsteps. However, Xi has decided to not only do that, but exceed them greatly. Her oldest sister, Fei Lan, is very level-headed. She is in her seventh year at Dragonsflame. Her middle sister, Yu Ting, enjoys tormenting and taunting Xi. She is very full of herself (she is very capable at performing magic) and constantly downs Xi’s lack of knowledge of the magical world, despite having grown up in it. Fei Lan serves as Yu Ting’s buffer. She is the one responsible for offering Xi some comfort after Yu Ting has downed her spirit. Yu Ting is in her fourth year at Dragonsflame. Her oldest sibling, and only brother, Chenglei, is a lot like Fei Lan. He and Fei Lan have an especially close, special relationship, as for several years it was just the two of them. He is very kind to all, and handsome as well. He works under his father in the Ministry of Magic.

Her father and mother are very laid back people. The entire household has a very relaxed feel about it. Her father, Ling, was the one who taught Xi martial arts. He taught all his children basic martial arts to keep up the family tradition, but thus far, only Xi has pushed him to really learn the art. Xi’s mother, Lisa, is very random and enjoys acting ditsy to not only embarrass her children, but also keep things lively. She is very proud of her kids, and her husband’s Chinese heritage (hence her decision to give all her kids Chinese names). Both of Xi’s parents attended Dragonsflame. Ling was in Wolfsfang and Lisa was in Falconsflight.

((My background history wasn’t much. u.u;; Sorry. I hope you're happy now, Porikins.))

"Why...do I have to wear this?" Peter asked, staring at his shirt. It had "Fletcher's Wands" emblem basically plastered on the front and back of a red and orange shirt, which looked too old for anyone to wear in this day and age. Looks like his Dad is giving people at Starcrest Port ammo. Oh well.

"You need to advertise, Petey. Can't get money for the year to come without kids buying their wands. I just need you to do a little..advertising." He said, taking out some Floo Powder and setting it on the table. The fireplace lay right ahead, and apparently, in some odd way which confused Peter, they were going to be going to Starcrest Port that way. It still didn't make sense to him, but he would find out soon enough if it was true.

"How come Matt and Simon don't have to wear this?" Peter asked, pointing at Matt and his other brother, who had already used the Floo Powder, and were vanishing in a spiral of green flames and smoke. This was followed by a bunch of yelling which caused his Mom to use it, and his Dad thrusting him towards the fireplace.

"Because....they're older." His Dad said, pushing him into the Fireplace and handing him a bunch of Floo Powder.

"Just say the place you are going clearly, then throw the powder down. You'll be there in a few seconds. Go to Fletcher's Wand." His Dad said, gathering up the last of his bags.


"Uh..", Peter said, looking at the powder. He didn't want to use it. It wasn't that he was scared. He had always watched his brothers and his Dad go to Starcrest Port, leaving him and his Mom at the house, since he wasn't old enough to go. His Dad had a weird rule: None of his kids who were old enough for Dragonsflame, or were accepted, could see Starcrest Port, or anything magical unless it was used in their own home. He knew it was safe, but it was just..odd. Oh well. "Fletcher's Wands!" Peter yelled, throwing the powder down. He was soon engulfed in green flames, and was sent spiraling down, as if a giant pipe had sucked him up. Houses and buildings where Fireplaces were settled flew by, and soon Peter forgot about the unknown journey through Floo Powder. The sheer art of it amazed him. Before he could get over the whole..amazement, he was flung out of a fireplace. Flying across the room, he landed on Matt, who pushed him off.

"Learn some manners, would ya? It isn't nice to land on people after a long journey." He said, laughing a little bit at his brother's lack of knowledge. "Maybe you wouldn't be flung so much if you grew a few inches."

"Shut up, Matt." Peter, said throwing a box that was lying nearby at him. His Mom caught it, and turned to Peter. "This is a WAND, and it is MERCHANDISE for your Dad. Don't throw it." And with that, she sat it back down. A moment later, their Dad came walking out of the fireplace. He obviously has mastered the art of Floor Powdering.

"Alright. Shop door, open. Sign ready, good. Magical Bell, done. Alright, last bit of business...Ah, Peter. You need a wand. Try this one." His Dad said, pushing a box onto him. As he opened the box, he was amazed. The wand, nine inches, oak, core of a owl feather, seemed to shine in the light. Picking it up, he waved it. Many things happened which can't be explained here, because it will just be embarrasing to write.

After a couple of tries, Peter finally had his wand. Ten inches, oak, with a core of a phoenix feather. Putting it away in a backpack he was given, he stood up and looked at his Dad. His Dad handed him a small bag, which contained some money, along with his list of school supplies.

"Oh, and here is an extra backpack. If you can't carry everything, then come and store some stuff here before getting the big things, alright?" He said. "Got it, Dad."

"Be careful, Peter." His Mom said, kissing him. "ARGH, STOP!" He yelled, blushing and moving towards the door. His brothers, laughing in the corner, was soon stopped by their father, who seemed to use a mouth-binding charm, or curse. He didn't know. "Alright, bye." He said, leaving the shop.

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

A few hours passed by, and he seemed to get everything on the list down. He was wearing a new shirt, which is bought with the extra money. It was really embarrasing to wear that advertisment shirt, expecially when he got laughed at by alot of people in the shops he went into. His owl, which he named Pepper, sat in the cage next to him, hooting slightly. Pepper may seem like a sissy name to alot of people, but he had a reason to name her that. She was a grayish-white owl, which looked like someone sprayed, or poured, pepper all over her. There really wasn't much to describe.

"Now..back to Dad's shop...if I can get all this stuff there." He said, looking at the two backpacks, boxes, and containers which had all his school supplies in. "This is going to be fun."

OOC:

Cassie

That night, Cassie and Jaquie sat in their small inn's tavern, quietly enjoying their dinner and innocuously listening to the various others around them. Cassie took a swig of her newly tried (and loved) butterbeer and set it back down on the table, her eyebrows curiously furrowed.

"Jaquie?" she asked.

"Mm?" Jaquie responded, not looking up from the paper.

"What's a mudblood?" she asked.

Jaquie looked up, slightly annoyed. "Will you let this go?" she pleaded.

"No," Cassie said, stubbornly frowning.

Jaquie stared at Cassie, reminding herself it was no use fighting it. Cassie would find out sooner or later, and it would be better if it were now. Jaquie finally gave in. Taking a deep sigh, she said quietly, "A mudblood is..." she licked her lips, trying to find the appropriate words, "someone who is born of Muggle parents."

"And what are Muggles?" Cassie asked.

"What you thought you were before you received your letter. Someone who can't use and doesn't know about magic," Jaquie explained.

"And the word Mudblood is supposed to mean something to me?" Cassie asked.

Jaquie put her finger to her lips and tried to hush Cassie's loud question. Confused, Cassie asked why with only a single eyebrow raised. Jaquie explained, "The word is not... considered polite."

Cassie nodded slowly and said, "So you mean to say..."

"I mean to say don't say it! It's about as horrible as calling someone a --... Well, it's just a term used by someone who wants to distinguish a purity in their bloodline, wanting to prove something. It's disgusting really, to hear someone utter the word. Makes me sick," Jaquie said, taking a long swig of her own drink.

"But... how do we know that my parents weren't wizards?" she asked.

"It doesn't matter! Blood shouldn't matter! As long as you've got the talent, it should never be a factor in the equation," Jaquie said, slamming her cup down on the table.

Cassie took a deep breath and stared at her plate. She didn't feel sorry for asking, but she knew that it might have been a touchy subject for Jaquie.

"Were you ever called that?"

Jaquie sat up straighter in her chair and blinked a few times, shocked that Cassie had figured it out. Cassie was a sharp girl and could hardly let things like this slip by without notice. Jaquie let out a long shuddering gasp and finally said quietly, "Yes, but I'm not ashamed of my parents."

Cassie didn't speak at first, still staring at the plate. She let the initial tension of the conversation ebb away before she spoke, "You shouldn't be ashamed. It's only a word. It only holds meaning if you let it." She looked up and stared determinedly into her adoptive-mother's eyes, "I'm not going to let it."

Jaquie's gaze softened as she silently watched her brave daughter. She'd never heard anyone say such a thing. Slowly, she began to smile. This little girl had so much to gain.

"They can call me that all they want, but I'll prove it to them--... blood doesn't mean a damn thing to me."

Jaquie laughed softly and said, "You've got to be the wisest eleven year old I've ever met."

Cassie smiled in return and said, "It kind of helps when I've had someone like you around."

"Now you're just being a kiss-up. Finish your butterbeer," Jaquie said, jokingly.

Cassie giggled and did as she was told.

OOC:

"I told you, you should have brought it back in seperate trips, Peter." His Dad said, sort of laughing as he led Peter along the path towards the Inn. "We're going to stay the night here, and hopefully it gets your strength up, considering you will be lugging all of this to the Station." He continued, slapping Peter on the back.

"Ow...jerk." Peter mumbled, opening the door to the Inn to let himself, his Dad, Mom, and two brothers in. After his Dad motioned to the bartender, they took seats in a corner booth, enough seats for them all to fit there. Thanks to his brothers, Peter was forced to sit on the outside of the booth, which he knows they know he hates that. Stupid phobia.

"Alright....it seems you all have your supplies and are ready to go. We probably have enough to buy some supplies for the next year from the shops around here, so me and your Mom will head out after you guys leave to get some of them, alright? After counting up all the money...we have enough to give you all some, as well as buy a round of butterbeers. How does that sound?" Dad said, finally looking at the whole family.

"Butterbeer? Is that illegal for minors?" Peter asked. He knew it was probably a stupid question, but he didn't know what it was. Though it be Wizard things, it was never drunk at their house.

"Yes, Petey, don't worry." Dad said, getting up and going to the bar.

"Maybe it will make you grow." Matt said, pushing Peter, which was almost out of the seat. After regaining his bearings, he said "Shut up."

~_~_~_~_~

After the whole family got their butterbeer, the Mom decided to go get their rooms ready, as well as go to bed. That left Peter with his Dad and brothers.

"Remember kids, no matter what, just focus on your studies. Also, don't get into trouble. I don't want any of my kids to be kicked out of Dragonsflame, also..." Dad rambled on. Matt and Simon weren't paying attention, because it was obviously a speech they got every year, except with the added 'Watch out for Peter' deal. He didn't need two oafs to look out for him; he could look out for himself.

Staring around the room, he looked at the people in the Inn. It ranged from children, to families, to adults enjoying the night. They all looked so happy. Who knew the Wizarding world was so cool? Peter still couldn't believe he was going to be learning magic, and knew an exciting year lay ahead of him.

Xi slumped down the stairs. All she had to look forward to was another 12 hours of her sister’s taunt