Disclaimer: what? It's not mine? Oh well - it's J.K's, not mine.

All subsequent chapters will soon be edited. They will be marked "edited" in the A/N.

Rating: PG-13ish

Pairings: None I wish to dwell on

Warnings: Mmm…OOCishness most likely (I'm not J.K., you know!); in re-reading the story, starting to think Alexandra's becoming a bit of a MS. Ah well. Hopefully the fanfic gods will forgive me. A tad AU, for obvious reasons once you read it. I try to keep in canon as much as possible, but will stray. If non-canon-oriented fic annoys you, turn back now.

Chapter One:

Black shoulder-length hair, rather tall, thin. A Dark Mark on his arm. Potions Master at Hogwarts.

That's the best description that I know of him. My father.

We've never met. My father thought my mother dead. He was never told she was pregnant. Poor woman died giving birth to me, a fifteen-year-old reject. Oh, reject's harsh, I know, but it fits somehow. A muggle family adopted me, until they were killed in a car crash when I was five. Then I somehow ended up at a half-wizarding family's home. Andrews, mostly Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws. One or two Gryffindors and a Slytherin. Rather odd bunch.

Anyway they've called me Alexandra Andrews for about ten years now. I was home-schooled. We're not allowed to go to Diagon Alley, so Ollivander sent me my first wand. It works well enough, I suppose. I still use it - never have gone to another. 8 in with a dragon scale. Rather costly.

My parents began teaching us when we turned eleven, just as if we were to go to Hogwarts. I went to a muggle school for awhile, to learn reading and writing and such.

In home schooling, I've excelled at potions and charms. Not too bad with transfigurations. Hate divination and arithmancy. Good at dueling. I've jinxed Taylor—my younger-by-two-years-brother—so many times. It irritates him. They've never bothered with history of magic. Defense against the Dark Arts is ok. It comes in handy to know counter-curses, especially when dealing with Taylor.

Anyway. Yesterday I received a letter. With a Hogwart's seal. Mum and Da, as they've said I can call them, said that I should open it. It's sitting on my desk, waiting.

Hogwart's is where he works. Has something happened to him? - I tear it open and read.

Dear Alexandra Andrews:

Congratulations, you have been accepted into Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Enclosed you will find a list of books and supplies. The term starts 1st September. As you've been home-schooled, you will be tested the first week of classes to ensure that you are in the proper levels. You will be starting as a fourth year until we are assured that you are capable of fifth year work.

Minerva McGonnagall

Deputy Headmistress

The list of supplies and books was rather detailed. It also informed me that students could bring a cat or owl or toad.

I already had an owl - my twelfth birthday present. He was snowy white and I had named him Cawdor. He didn't much like the name, but I told him the story behind it.

Anyway. Mum and Da thought I should go. So here I am, trying to find platform 9 and three-quarters. They told me that it was in between 9 and 10 that I'd have to walk through a wall.

I watched as someone ran through the wall. I closed my eyes and then - whoosh - I was on the other side and there was the train. Red and big and with the Hogwart's seal. I closed my mouth and loaded my trunk and Cawdor and tried to find an empty car.

About the fifth one down, I found one that was empty. I sat down, staring out the window.

Breathe, Alexandra, breathe. I was nervous. On my way to Hogwarts, to be taught with others. No Taylor to talk to because he didn't want to go to Hogwarts, at least not yet.

A brown-haired girl entered the car with two boys - a redheaded one and a cute black-haired one. They looked about my age.

"Mind if we join you? The rest is full." I nod to them to join me.

A blond boy, rather cute too, comes in and sneers. "I wouldn't sit with them if I were you. A Weasley and a mudblood." He leaves after the girl and boys threaten to pound him.

"What's a mudblood?" I had never heard the term before.

"A magical child from muggles. It's not a nice name." The Cute One says. "What's your name?"

"Alexandra - Andrews." I debated about saying Snape, but since he didn't know yet, I didn't think it fair to say anything. Besides, the Andrews had been good family to me.

"Andrews. But they never send their kids to Hogwarts!" the redhead says. "They're always homeschooled. Always."

"There have been some—aunts and uncles and cousins have gone to Hogwarts. Just not my immediate family. And besides, maybe it's because they asked me if I wanted to go. I'm not really of their blood anyway." Nor could they ever even imagine me as an Andrews. They were all blond-haired, blue-eyed short beings. I was tall. Black hair, brown eyes. Nope, no mistaking that I was an Andrews.

They looked curious at that statement, but didn't probe further for which I was eternally grateful for.

The girl - Hermione - said that we were getting closer to Hogwarts and should change into our robes.

The Andrews didn't wear robes. At least not like these infernally uncomfortable contraptions. Sigh. I agree to get changed and come back to the cabin where they were waiting.

"F'rst years, this way! Come on, now, first years!" A large man—Hagrid I'm told—says. I'm not really sure where to go - with the rest, or with this large man. He sees my confusion though and tells me it's my choice. The three I met have already left; I decide for the boats. I'm glad I chose them—it's beautiful, this castle called Hogwarts. And it's a school. Amazing.

They lead us up the staircase and McGonnagal introduces herself and tells us that we would soon be sorted into our houses. There's four, from what the Andrews tell me. Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, and Slytherin. I wonder vaguely which one I'll be placed into. My mum - my real one - was a Ravenclaw. My father's a Slytherin. McGonnagal says that we're to compete for the House Cup. I stop paying attention. Who cares about a 'House Cup'?

I'm going to be meeting my father for the first time.

Of course, he doesn't know I'm his daughter, but eventually -

McGonnagal ushers us into the Great Hall. The sky's been magicked to look like the night sky. Candles are floating all around. Rather pretty. Eerie. but pretty.

The Sorting Hat begins to sing. I almost reach up to cover my ears but stop myself in time. Dumbledore - I recognize him from his chocolate frog cards - gives me a smile. Or maybe he's just smiling in general at everyone. My father...he's looking rather grumpy. No expression at all. Paler than what I thought he would be -

McGonnagal's talking about me. "You've all have noticed we have a new student. Her name is Alexandra Andrews and she's been tutored at home for the past several years. She's starting as a fourth year. Now, come child, sit." She places the Hat on my head.

It whispers to me.

Ah, another Snape. And an Azelophe. But where to put you? A wonderful mind . . . loyal . . . great talent. A bit tricky and ambitious. You'll do well in any house. But where to put you?

Oh, just put me somewhere. I honestly don't care where. Just pick!

Very well. I think you should be in . . . SLYTHERIN!

That table doesn't clap at all. Not like they did for anyone else. My friends from the train are in a state of shock. I laugh a bit, which makes them all look at me more, and join my newly appointed house.

They try to crowd me out. I love magic. Spacio. They're now forced to give me room. My father's looking at me with a little quirk in his eyebrow.

He knows I'm not an Andrews. All of the professors do—the letter had also informed me that all of them would know. So he probably thinks I'm a muggleborn.

In Slytherin.