Chapter 1: The New Girl

"Dad, I've explained to you over and over again the reasons why I can't go to Lunar Academy," It was July, about 41 degrees Celsius, and I was trailing behind my dad as he dragged me through Manchester.

"Lils, you know that you have to. And the Headmistress isn't just sending you - she's sending all the students with elemental powers."

I scowled at the ground, "But, Dad!"

"No buts, Lily," He brushed my messy dark red hair away from my hair, "You know that this is for a reason. Your life in danger at Hogwarts. You've got to at least learn to defend yourself properly with the Elements first. And it's only for a year."

"But what about -"

Dad raised his eyebrows, "What did we say about buts, Lils?"

I laughed, "Never to begin a sentence with them."

"Scorpius, please don't tell me you're agreeing to this!" I chucked another piece of bread at the ducks swimming in the park. Scorpius and I were sitting on a bench in a Muggle park.

"Listen, Red."

I frowned at the blonde's all-to-apt nickname.

"Scorpius! Don't call me that!" I swat him.

"You're cute when you're angry," he said. I rolled my eyes.

"Red," he grabbed me before I could storm off melodramatically, "I've been thinking about this, and it's for the best. I worried about what Mystique will do in revenge. You have to learn how to defend yourself first. There's no use trying to locate the Jewels if your neck is snapped in half."

I rolled my eyes, "Very apt, Scor. As usual."

He pointed at the notebook balancing in my lap, "What's that?"

"Oh, this sketch? I've been researching the Jewel's magic capturing mechanism. Apparently, it's got something to do with the purity and reflective capabilities of the jewel."

Scorpius leaned over me to get a closer look at the sketch. My heartbeat started to race, and I bit my lip.

"Um, Scorpius?"

"Sorry, Lils, was I distracted? I was just remembering last year when you did that eye trick. Your eyes look different since then, brighter, more gold, shimmery, magical, maybe."

"Is it possible for a single part of a human to be magical?" I asked.

"Have you had a good look at your eyes recently?"

I shook my head, "So, because eyes are reflective they can hold or channel magic?"

Scorpius shrugged, "Not that I want to alert people that we have one of the Jewels, but we could always try and prove it. Don't they measure magic capability?"

"I guess so."

Scorpius's silver eyes bored into myself, "I can't lose you, Lily. Please. Go there for me. Promise me that."

I scowled.

"Come on, Red. I'll be there to keep you company when you're sad and-"

"That is the last straw!" I dumped the breadcrumbs over his head. The surveying ducks squawked with pleasure.

"Red!" He grabbed my sunhat, but I was too busy laughing manically to care.

"Lily! Your school letter is here!" called Mum from the living room.

"Coming," I mumbled. Mum pushed her red hair, the same color as mine but a brighter shade, away from her face.

"Lily Luna Potter, what did I tell you about stomping down the stairs?"

"Not to do it," I mumbled. Albus stiffled a smirk and I glared at him. James promptly knocked over Albus's cup of tea. That's what always happens when James thinks something's funny - he knocks over Al's tea. Albus glared at James and chucked something at him.

"Boys!" Mum complained.

"James started it!"

Mum and I rolled our eyes. I picked up the envelope. It had my name written across it in golden, sparkling ink. I slid my finger under the envelope and pulled the letter out.

Dear Ms. Potter,

You have applied for Lunar Academy. There will be an entrance exam on Monday, August 1st, 2022 at the Crystal Castle. Good luck, and we wish to see you there!

Queen Zelayna

"This academy is run by a queen?" I asked.

Mum nodded, "The queen of the Faye, not the queen of the fairies. They get offended if you call them that."

"What else should I know about this school?" I sighed. Albus chucked another letter at me.

"Oh, good. A list of my classmates."

Elemental Division 1 - Girls

Name: Azar - Of the: Faye Power: Fire/Sunlight

Name: Ila - Of the: Elves Power: Earth/Quakes

Name: Aoi - Of the: Faye Power: Earth/Nature

Name: Aylin - Of the: Pixies Power: Air/Stardust

Name: Calanthia - Of the: Giants Power: Fire/Inferno

Name: Eira Of the: Elves Power: Water/Rain

Name: Undina Of the: Dwarfs Power: Water/Ocean

And so on.

"There are no other humans in my division," I grumbled. Mum put an arm around my shoulder.

"Don't worry, Lily. You'll make friends there."

"I hope so."

I woke up at 5:30 on the morning of August the first. I rummaged in my closet for something fitting, and came out with black dress robes. Classy but comfortable and respectable. Wardrobe, check. Hair. Hmm. What does one do with curly, too-thick-to-be-done-easily-lots-of-wispies-red-hair? One braids it. Fishtail braid, check. Quill, check. Extra parchment, check. Wand... where is my wand?

"James, where is my WAND?"

Rose poked her head in, "I have it, Lily." Her chocolate brown hair was pulled up in a neat burn and she was wearing her Hogwarts robes.

"Lily, dress robes, what were you thinking?"

"Ummm, dress to impress... right?" I asked sheepishly.

Rose rolled her eyes, "Come here, let's get you looking presentable, fashionista."

"Why did I agree to this?" I hissed to Albus as we climbed the steps to the Crystal Castle.

"This place is amazing," he whispered.

"Hello, Earth to Al, Mission Control here, can we please stop admiring the admittedly-gorgeous scenery?"

"Sorry, Lils. Repeat that?"

I sighed and tried to push open the crystal door.

"Did no one teach you how to knock!" cried an enormous raven.

"Oh. Sorry, Master Raven. I'm here for the exam."

"Welcome to Crystal Castle." The Raven cawed, and the door opened. Wow. This place was amazing. The whole castle rippled with iridescent rainbows.

"Talk about sparkle and shimmer," I whispered.

"Indeed," said a musical voice, "I am Queen Zelayna of the Faye and I welcome you to our palace. Humans have not set foot in this palace for a thousand years. I hope that Master Raven and I still know how welcome humans."

Queen Zelayna was tall, with the same iridescent transparency of her palace. Her lavender hair was swept up off of her face, and she wore upon her head a silver diadem. Wings made of rainbows extended from her shoulder blades. I hastily dropped a clumsy curtsey, and Albus bowed equally as clumsily. At least I didn't trip on my robes like he did. Al has never been all that graceful.

"Allow me to escort you to the testing room."

So that's the first chapter! Enjoy, and if you're confused, see chapters 24-29 of Book 2 and chapter 9-10 of Book 1. Thanks for reading,

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