The summer had gone extremely fast after the letter had arrived. Buffy had read the book on phoenix care at least three times, making sure she didn't mistreat it. When she was eight she had had a goldfish, which she had accidentally killed and that was the reason for her being careful with this new pet. She was glad she had read it so carefully, because the third time had made her notice a small fact she hadn't read before. Phoenix's were close to immortal. Well, they died in a way, but from their ashes they were reborn again. It said that they could suddenly combust, but that she didn't have to worry, because that was a part of being a phoenix. She hadn't been sure what to name it as this bird deserved a special name. Finally she rested on a name she had found in a mythology book, Gaia, which was supposed to be the earth Goddess or something.

Strangely (Ok, maybe not so strange), her friends didn't come over as much as they used to, in fact they had completely stopped. There was a reason for it. It all began shortly after Buffy had returned from "The bent twig". Buffy's best friend, Lilah had come over to play as usual. First she was jealous of Buffy because of Gaia, since it was the most beautiful bird she had ever seen. The she had wanted to plan gag's on the boys to when school started (Lilah was such a troublemaker). Buffy had to tell her she wasn't going to a normal school. Lilah had become angry and when she found out why, she called Buffy a freak and left. Soon after Buffy had found out that Lilah had called everyone of her friends telling them thing's, very exaggerated versions on why Buffy wasn't going to their school anymore and added stories where Buffy had said she wanted to turn her into a toad. This had made everyone want to stay away from her and suddenly, Buffy was completely friendless. She had cried, her parents had tried everything to cheer her up. It hadn't worked. Buffy had just locked herself into her room and played alone. She had even stopped being annoyed at Dawn, because now, she had nobody else, but her sister.

But even with all this 1 September arrived sooner than they had expected and early that morning, making sure they had plenty of time, the Summers family had left for Grand Stevenson train station to send her off to school allright. Standing between platform 2 and 3 suddenly made Buffy want to turn around and leave. Her mother understood what Buffy was feeling.

- Buffy, you know… when that letter came, I freaked. I got scared, because I didn't understand it. I also thought that I would not let one of my children go to a boarding school, but when I saw the look in your face in Strapford alley and when I saw what happened with Lilah, I understood. Lilah doesn't hate you. She's just scared. She doesn't understand and neither do I, but I know that I have to let you go. They picked you. From what I understand, that's a big deal. They choose you. The least you can do is to give it a chance. Where did that brave little girl go? (Buffy gave her a look)… sorry… big girl... You have to go. Send me letters when you can and remember. If you find out you don't like it, you can always come back… ok?

Her mothers words had done the trick. The fear had escaped her mind and had been replaced by curiosity about this new school. How would it be like? She picked up her little "Muggle-guide" from her pocket and read quietly how to get onto the special platform. She took her trolley, which contained all her supplies plus Gaia. The same did her parents and Dawn. And all four hands were placed on the mailbox door. And as it had said on the piece of parchment they were suddenly standing in a big platform… bigger than 2 and 3 together. The train looked old-fashioned and carried the letters "LUNA SHUTTLE". The platform was packed with persons, children with trolleys and parents. Some of the parents was straightening the clothes of their children, some where telling them to behave and some where just staring scared around them at everything. She noticed a boy looking extremely sad.

- Mom, please, why couldn't you let me bring Bessy?

- Riley, I doubt the school is placed on a farm…

- They said I could bring a pet…

- They meant animals like cats or maybe dogs, not cows… Now come one, get on the train…

- But mom, please…

- NO!

One boy placed his fingers on an other girls back, moving them like they were spider feet's and the girl jumped several feet in the air screaming. Turning around she gave him a glare and he just grinned goofily at her. Buffy felt a bit sad, why couldn't one of her friends also be magic? Was that too much to ask? But she noticed that there were very few that actually knew each other. Some were standing in the corner others where queuing up to get on the train, and some where still appearing by the mailbox. A black-haired girl appeared next and went straight towards the train oozing of self-esteem. Shortly after a brown-haired girl with her parents, which seemed to be among those who knew their way around. She went straight towards the girl and boy who had joked with the spider fingers.

Each of the kids were interesting, especially the last one to arrive. A girl with brown hair and eyes walked straight towards Buffy.

- Hi, are you a pure-blood witch or a muggle one?

- Huh?

- Are your parents magical or not, the girl said, giving Buffy a look.

- Um… they're not, but, but I am…

- I understood that. I'm full blood, myself and have never met a muggle. How's it like? I heard that the photos aren't moving, is that true? Isn't that boring? What type of sports do you have?

- Um… you're a bit fast… what's your name?

- Anya Tomson.

- Buffy Summers, Buffy answered, feeling the need to give the same amount of information as she got. - How come you've never met a muggle before?

- Oh, I live in a pure magical town. You, where do you live?

- Here… LA.

- Oh, I gotta go now, Anya suddenly said and walked towards the train.

- Um… interesting girl, a boy behind her said.

Buffy turned around, hearing the clear Irish accent. The boy was about as tall as her, or a little bit shorter in fact. He had dark hair and dark chocolate colored eyes. He smiled towards her.

- Good to hear I'm not the only muggle here, he continued.

- You're muggle too?

- Yeah, Angel O'Connor, he introduced himself.

- Interesting name…

- Tell me about it… not as manly as the guys would like. What about you?

- Buffy Summers.

- Um… wanna share compartment or something? I just moved here and I don't know a single person here.

- Me too… um except I haven't moved here. I don't know anyone here though…

- What about the girl you talked to?

- I don't know her, she just… started talking.

- She must have some guts, talking to a stranger…

- So have you…

- No, I mean… You seemed nice and you said you were a muggle… I didn't want to embarrass me in front of a pure-blood.

- Me neither.

The train whistle blew and made them realize that they should get on board. Buffy kissed her parents and Dawn good-bye and Angel did so with his parents. Then they hurried to get their luggage and themselves on the train and then searched each compartment for an empty one. They didn't find one and settled at one who only had one person in it, a girl. Buffy had a weird feeling about her, but as there were noone else, they settled there.

- Hi, know what house you're gonna be in, she suddenly asked.

- Um, I'm not sure.., Buffy answered.

- Oh, the girl said, giving her a glare. - Muggle…

Buffy felt as she had been judged and given a bad title. She looked at Angel, who just looked down at his feet.

- What's wrong with being a muggle, Buffy asked coldly.

- Oh, nothing, the girl answered, ironically. - Muggles are just so interesting. No moving pictures, you don't understand Quidditch, mind you, I'm more found of Quodpot. You haven't even touched a broom and of course you're all teachers pets… If it were up to me, I'd never let people like you in. Where do you stand, she asked Angel.

Angel looked up. The girl had made him feel very uncomfortable and it affected his voice, when he answered.

- The opposite. How can you be so sure you know everything about us? How do you know we're teachers pets. Neither of us has been to this school before, not you or me. Who told you all this?

- Muggle too, huh? Well, mom and dad. They told me all about the teachers. They're always giving muggles greater grades, because "poor them", they haven't had the chance to practice as the rest of us. What a joke. Talent is talent and muggles don't have it.

- I think it's best…

- I'm not leaving I was here first…

- …we leave, Buffy finished, getting up, shortly followed by Angel.

Out in the corridor Buffy felt angrier than she ever had.

- The nerve of her, Buffy muttered.

- She's just jealous. So were her parents. You heard what she said. Muggles apparently have talent and get good grades and they just want to give it an explanation they can be angry about instead of working harder themselves. If we had been going to a normal school, she would be among those who had a career of flipping burgers ahead of them.

- Thanks for the pep talk.

- Well, since that was the only one I have, best we find someone who doesn't upset us.

- Good idea.

They tried a compartment a few doors down the corridor. Buffy looked out the window. They were going somewhere south. She could tell since she saw the ocean on her right side, but the thing that made her wonder was that she remembered her and her parents driving there, but they had never seen train tracks going there. Where they invisible? Had this train always went this way? She let the though hang there as they entered the new compartment. This time also, only one person sat there, this time too a girl. Buffy recognized her for being the girl who had been scared by the boy at the station.

- Hi, um, is it ok, if we sit here, Buffy asked.

- Sure the girl said, shyly.

She had reddish brown hair, which hung straight down. Her hands were clambered around some of their school books. Her sweater was pink with sewed on flowers. Buffy couldn't help, but like the girl. She had a kinda good vibe with this one, not at all as the other girl. Buffy understood that unless one of them started they would never get a conversation.

- I'm Buffy, she started. - Buffy Summers.

- Willow, the girl answered. - Willow Rosenberg.

- Cool name, Buffy pointed out. - My wand's made of willow.

- Most people joke about it being a tree. The wand maker did as well. He pointed out that a willow-wand would be perfect for me, but everyone he tried, wouldn't do a thing. When he realized that he gave me pine with unicorn hair. What's in yours?

- Dragon heartstring. Wonder which one's the most magical one.

- That's not how it works. The wand fits the persons aura and personality. If you're like a bad tempered person, then the perfect wand would be one that evens out the temper in eventual spells.

- Are you pure-blood?

- No, my friend Amy is, though. She's just looking for the food cart.

- Is she nice, Buffy asked, remembering the last pure-blood one.

- Of course she is, why?

Buffy told her about the other girl.

- I guess that's one of them Amy told me about. Some, but not all pure-blood families feels that muggles aren't good enough and wants to keep the school for just the pure-bloods. The thing is, from what Amy's parents told her, that muggle-born somehow are quite clever and it just helps the pure-bloods feeling threatened. It's kinda like rase-issues in our world.

- I guess I got to meet a bad seed.

- Not exactly. These prejudice thoughts comes from the parents, who got them from their parents. Kids are taught to think whatever the parents think and mostly it's not their fault they have these thoughts, however there are kids that genuine believes in the same as their parents among them, so it's hard to tell them apart.

- You seem to know a lot.

- I wouldn't say so. Mom's kinda obsessed with it, so I've picked some up from her. And I've mixed it with what Amy's told me.

- How long have you two been friends?

- A long time. I never knew that she was a witch, because her parents doesn't want her telling muggles about the fact that there are witches and wizards. They are kinda forbidden by the ministry of magic. When her letter appeared I only got a glimpse of the envelope and then she got so secretly that I went home and surprisingly I found an envelope like that among our letters and when I read it, I realized why she had done so and told her about my letter and since then I've learned loads about witches and wizards. You're muggles too, aren't you?

- Yeah, Buffy answered. - Guess you noticed by the way I asked about Amy…

- Yeah, kinda.

- Um, Willow. What do you know about the houses?

- Not so much. Just what the letter told me. Amy was busy explaining Quidditch to me when I asked her.

A girl and a boys face appeared in the door-opening. Buffy recognized them as being the boy who frightened Willow and the girl that had walked towards them. The boy caught her looking and grinned.

- Will, if you're hungry, the food cart's almost here, he said, chewing on a weird kinda choccolate, making it hard to understand him.

- Couldn't wait, huh, Willow said, smiling.

- Hey, I was hungry, he answered, sounding clearer.

- How well I know you, Alexander Harris, Willow stated, amused. - Hi Ame.

- So, new friends?

- This is, Buffy… um… Summers was it, Willow asked, getting a nod from Buffy. - And this is… um, what's your name?

- Angel, Angel answered. - Angel O'Connor.

- Angel, what a girly name, Alexander stated.

- Well, we can't all have normal, boring names like you, Alexander, Angel answered annoyed.

- Sorry, didn't mean to step on anyone's toes, and it's Xander. Alexander is just too long and... ok, it is boring...

- I'm Amy, the brown-haired girl said. - Amy Johnson. And in case Willow here hasn't said much, she's Willow Rosenberg. She's quite shy.

- They know that, Willow said.

- It's always nice to get a reminder, Buffy stated.

She couldn't help, but like this crowd. Shy Willow, the clown-like Xander and the full of self-esteem Amy. They were much better company than the other girl, which she couldn't remember ever told them her name. Then as Xander had predicted, the food cart appeared in the doorway. Buffy got up, getting her money. At the cart she suddenly stopped, not knowing what to buy.

- Muggle, huh, the cart woman replied.

- Yeah, Buffy answered sheepishly.

- If I were you, I'd go with the chocolate frogs and Bertie Bott's every flavoured beans. Pasties are also good, Amy interrupted. - They are the safest.

- Thanks, Buffy said.

- Anytime. I'll have five chocolate frogs, ten boxes of every flavoured beans… five cauldron cakes and… two pasties.

- 2 galleons, 11 sickles and 14 knutts, what about you, the woman asked,turning towards Buffy.

- I'll have the same, Buffy answered and paid.

Buffy sat down with the others and suddenly noticed which animals the others had. Willow had a white-grey owl sitting in a cage, Amy had a black cat purring on her lap. Angel, as Willow also had an owl, only his was brown. Xander had a small white, a lttile grey-ish fox. Buffy could tell it was a cub. Xander caught her looking at it.

- Found him in the forest. He had a broken foot. We managed to get it healed, but the vet told me he wouldn't be welcomed back to his mother because he smalled human now, so I kept him. He's called Button.

- Cute name, she said.

Buffy suddenly noticed that they other were staring at her pet.

- You… you got a phoenix? Those are rare, Amy stated, her voice revealling her envy.

- I read about those, Willow stated. - The tears got healing powers, right?

- Yeah. Mom and dad got a bit impresed with having a witch in the family that they bought me Gaia.

- Are your parents rich?

- Nope, I guess we were just lucky with the price.

- Maybe it's old, Xander guessed. - Maybe it's not gonna live so long.

- It doesn't matter how old a phoenix is, Amy corrected him. - They are like immortal. When they get old, they combust and from the ashes they resurect themselves and live a new life. You're lucky, Buffy.

- Thanks. Your cat's pretty cute, though.

- Tinky? Yeah, she's pretty cute, aren't you my little cutiepie…

Amy held her cat, proudly up.

- What's your owl's name, Buffy asked Willow.

- Marble, she answered, looking at everyone staring. - What? I couldn't figure if this was a boy owl or a girl owl and the colour kinda remind me of marble floors, so I chose Marble.

- And your owl, Buffy asked looking at Angel.

- Tawny, he answered, almost antisipating the same reaction Willow had gotten.

- It fits, Buffy said, with the rest nodding.

They sat for hourse talking while the train moved further and further south, then the woman with the trolley came walking by each compartment telling them they were almost there and they all changed into their robes. The girls changing with the boys out in the corridor and the boys changing with the girls out in the corridor. Then finally the train stopped and everyone got out carrying their pets.

- Students please leave your luggage. It will be brought to the school separatelly. First graders, please come with me, the rest of you continue up the path, a man with a brittish accent called out.

Buffy looked around trying to spot the school. She couldn't. All she could see was a huge mountain. But as the man obviously knew where to go, she followed him, like the rest of the kids her age. He lead them around the mountain where they finally came to a cave entrance. In they went. The cave had a long narrow hole at each side as wide as their hands and at the height of their waist. There were obviously something flameable in them as there were a long line of fire in them. So the cave wasn't so dark. It seemed to lead slightly upwards and going round in circles and didn't seem like a natural cave, but more like a spiral staircase, without the steps. After going around in circles for ages they finally came to a huge door, which the man opened by just muttering a few well chosen words.

Inside were a huge hall with something that looked like marble statues around inside. The floor was covered with a big red carpet. There were several doors and staircases going up and down. Buffy wondered where all of them went. The man however didn't lead them to any staircase, but straight in the big door in front of them. What they entered was an even bigger room, but when Buffy saw what it contained, she understood the size. Four very long tables, packed with students went from where they stood and up until a fifth long table which faced the other four. The fifth was filled with adults in robes and pointed hats. Buffy understood that they were the teachers of this school. The man lead them passed the four tables up to the fifth where he turned and stopped them.

- Us here at Luna academy of magical arts are pleased to greet everyone to a new school year and to welcome new first graders. In a few moments you will all have been sorted into your house and joined your house tables. The seven years you will be spending here you will belong to one specific house. Each victory will win points for your house and each rule-breaking will loose points from your house. The houses are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. Each house has their own common room and dormitories. They also have each a Quidditch team. Here at Luna we are proud to have it as there are very little Quidditch activity in this country. Grades 2 to 7 are welcome to try out for their house teams. The feast will soon begin, when each house has gotten a new group of students.

He stopped to to mutter some words and a hat flew into his hand.

- When I call your name, you will each step up and put on this hat, it will decide which house you belong to. Abrams, Parker…

A boy stepped up and was told to sit down on a chair and put the hat on. Five seconds later the hat shouted Slytherin…

- Chase, Cordelia…

The hat took a little longer time to think before it shouted Gryffindor… Doyle, Allan became a Gryffindor and Finn, Riley, which turned out to be the boy who wanted to bring his cow became the first Hufflepuff. Gunn, Charles became a Gryffindor almost before the hat touched his head. When Xander was called up the hat thought long and well, it sat there for two whole minutes, Xander looking paler and paler until it shouted Hufflepuff. Heart, Kendra became also a Hufflepuff.

- Johnson, Amy

Amy became the first Ravenclaw. Looking very pleased with herself she bounced up to the Ravenclaw table. She gave the gang a quick wave as she instantly started a conversation with some fellow Ravenclaws. Buffy suddenly didn't know where she wanted to be Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw. Her new friends had already divided themselves into two groups. Kendall, Harmony became the second Slytherin, though the hat had to think for a long time until deciding that. Liam, William followed quickly afterwards. Lockley, Kate became the third Hufflepuff and then Angel was called. This time the hat didn't even have to touch his head until it shouted Gryffindor.

Suddenly Buffy was facing three houses which her new friends had been divided into. And had no clue how to choose. Angel was the first person she had spoken to, except for a very strange girl, Xander was quite funny and Amy was also very nice.

- Osborne, Daniel

Buffy jumped as the next boy went to put the hat on, quickly he was made a Ravenclaw, followed by Pantone, Faith who became a Slytherin. Reid, Tara became a Hufflepuff and then it was Willow's turn, not in this case either did the hat have to think long until it shouted Ravenclaw and Willow went to join Amy and her facinating discussion with an older Ravenclaw girl.

- Summers, Buffy

Again Buffy jumped, but hurried up and sat down, putting the hat on. Suddenly she heard the hat speak to her.

- Hmm, yes, ok talent and your strength will come in handy with such a future as yours, loyal you are, there's very little cunningness, perhaps too little, but cleverness and imagination will fill that gap, but I can see where your greatest strength is, although your loyalty is very strong I can see bravery beyond anything here, so that makes you a GRYFFINDOR…

Buffy jumped off the chair taking off the hat and joined Angel at the Gryffindor table. Although she looked over her shoulder at Amy and Willow and at Xander and wished she could also be in their houses, she accepted that she couldn't and was happy to be a Gryffindor. After her Tate, Winifred became the next and last Ravenclaw, then the man called for Thorn, Veruca and the unpleasent girl from the train walked up and without a hair touching the hat she filled the last seat at the Slytherin table. Buffy began to despice that table and was glad that none of her new friends was a part of it. She looked at where she had once been standing to find only one person left, the girl that had just wandered straight towards Buffy at the station. Tomson, Anya became the last Gryffindor.

The man muttered new words and the hat flew back to wherever it had been before it was summoned. Then he went to sit down. A woman, quite young if one compared her to the other teachers, stood up. She took a minute to gaze at each table.

- Who's she, Buffy asked an older Gryffindor.

- That's Ms. Calendar, our headmistress.

- She's young…

- Yeah, but she's powerful, some say she's a gypsy and gypsie witches and wizards are known to be the best.

They shut up imediatelly as Ms. Calendar looked at them, then a few seconds later, she announced.

- Welcome all to Luna, as our deputy headmaster Mr. Giles so kindly told you. Every year we all meet in this hall. Every year new students are welcomed to their houses and every year the rules must be read. All students must not leave their common room after eleven o'clock, except if they're to serve detention at that time. On school nights the students has to retreat to their dormitory at eleven o'clock and it's lights out. On week-ends and hollidays lights off is at one o'clock at the latest. No students are allowed in the mountains, stay within school grounds, it's bigger than you might think…

She gave them all a slight wink.

- Well, as this has all been said, I ask that questions are to be brought up with the head of your house, but later please. Right now, tuck in…

A wave of her hand made delicious food appear right in front of them and everyone picked as much as they could. When everyone was full, a person at each table stood up and asked the students of that table follow them. They all went in different directions once they got out of the hall and back into the one with the statues. Buffy followed her house up the staircase to the left then they made a right turn, as if they went into a cave again, only on her left there were windows revealling a huge place, which she guessed was the school grounds. It was so big that she couldn't explain it to anyone if they asked and it seemed like the school surrounded it all. An older student explained to her and the rest of the first graders that the school had been built inside a huge hollowed mountain, exploiting every cave there was and some caves being made. It was half building/half cave. Continuing what she thought of as a cave they reached a new marble statue of a shiny night, which suddenly moved, scaring the shit out of Buffy and the rest her age.

- Password, the statue demanded.

- Carpe Angelus, the older boy answered.

The night touched a specific place on the wall with his sword. A stone rolled to the side revealling a very large and nice room, however Buffy didn't manage to take it all in as she yawned. The boys were lead up the stairs and the girls down the stairs and into their dormitories. Buffy was sure that the next morning, she wouldn't even remember how she got to bed, and she was right…