Authors Notes: I started this story over two years ago, and it was my very first 'serious' attempt at writing. I must warn you that the main character kinda started out as a Mary-Sue (who do I think I'm kidding..'kinda') but she eventually grew out of it as I learned more and more about writing through trial and error and in my opinion, she's become a relatively decent OC.

She's still a Mary Sue, but this story has been dusted off and posted again for two reasons:

One: Since it was the very first thing I ever wrote, it shows how much I've grown as an author. You can actually see the turning points I took as I got better and learned more about story crafting.

Two: I devoted so much time to this thing and have so many notes left over from when I was still steadily working on it, that I can't just let it die, regardless of how much I know I should. It'll be bothering me for the rest of my life if I don't finish what I started. Thusly, I've picked up the old notebooks again, bound and determined to finish this thing if it kills me (and it might...).

If you're paying attention, you can see where I started to develop the writing skill that has now earned me awards and nominations web-wide, as well as every painful step towards un-Sue-ness that I took.

Someday, I might go back and rewrite this so that she's more realistic throughout, but really, I haven't the time or energy right now since my other stories have taken over my life. This takes place in Harry's fifth year, thus negating everything that happened in 'Order Of The Phoenix' and 'Half Blood Prince' (although the Order is mentioned in the storyline, as are Snape's spying activities...my knowledge of HP canon was so lacking when I first started this thing that I messed with continuity terribly). I warn you now, there is quite a bit of OOCness from the canons, grammatical, canon information and spelling errors galore, as well as every cliche in the book used to their fullest potential--but this story will always have a very special place in my heart because it was the first in which I muddled along and learned the ropes.

Granted, it's a black and shriveled place because a Mary Sue lives there, but it's a special place none-the-less.

So, I give you 'A First Year At Hogwarts', affectionately referred to in my mind as 'How not to write fan fiction'. Glean what lessons you can from it. God knows there's plenty of screw-ups to be found. Maybe if you watch me fall on my face throughout this thing often enough, you won't repeat the same mistakes that I did and fandom will be a better place for it.

Chapter One: -A Song In The Night-

I drank in the lovely scene before me. The lush green grass and the still quiet of a summer night were a welcome break in my hectic life. I breathed deeply, smelling the scent of fresh flowers and sighed. After I took a few steps forward, the fireflies decided to greet me, swirling around me and flying in front of my face as if to say a cheerful hello. I cheerilly strolled out into the yard, the newly mown grass tickling the soles of my bare feet and my long nightgown gently fluttering in the breeze.

"I hate this nightgown," I thought quietly to myself, "and yet, it seems it's all I want to wear anymore."

I knew why I wore it more often now, but didn't want to admit it to myself. My grandmother had bought it for me.

I sighed heavily thinking of her. Now that Grandmamma had passed, it was to be only a few weeks before I was to go to Hogwarts. I had spoken to Ron earlier, and told him I would meet him in Diagon Alley next week, to commence shopping for my first "official" year at Hogwarts. While I had taken all of my classes at home in order to stay with Grandmamma, I was extremely excited to finally go and be a part of a house and perhaps, even start in Quidditch.

I thought back to the few times I had gone to Hogwarts. Every winter, while all the other students were gone, I had visited the Professors and Hagrid. While I was there I was permitted to stay in any of the unoccupied dorms, and while there, I spent hour upon hour with each of the teachers. Talking, joking, learning. Amazingly I got along rather well with all of them, I had even managed to worm my way into the heart of a particularly grouchy Potions Professor. Which came as quite a surprise to Ron.

-Flashback, a winter visit to the burrow-

"WHO?" exclaimed Ron.

"I said," I replied coolly, "Professor Snape."

The entire Weasley family turned to stare at me. I laughed heartily at the response my statement garnered.

"Really now," I said, "you would think I had befriended the devil himself." I chuckled again as I looked around at the shocked faces of my friends. Nonchalantly, I took another bite of my pumpkin pie.

Ron continued to stare at me in shock, as George piped up, "Do you think you could get him to teach you a few prank potions?"

I laughed again.

"Wicked!" replied Fred "Hey, with you around who would need Zonko's?"

The entire group at the table laughed at this, even Ron who seemed to be over his initial shock at this point.

As I laughed, I nudged him in the side with my elbow, while saying just loud enough for him to hear, "Perhaps even a love potion for you and a certain Gryffindor bookworm we all know. Eh Ron?" He blushed deeply and I smiled at him and winked.

-back to the present-

I smiled to myself remembering that night and the reactions of the Weasleys, and of course to the many thank you notes I received by owl that followed. (Since I did indeed prod the dear professor into telling me a few prank potions he himself had used as a student, and sent the ingredients list and instructions immediatly to Fred and George. I had however decided to hold off on the love potion until I met Hermione in person.).

Suddenly I fell face forward into the grass. I muttered a loud "Ow." and got up clumsily. I laughed to myself at my carelessness.

"Megara," I scolded myself aloud, "You have to pay more attention to where you're going."

The fireflies once again surrounded me and I twirled happily amongst them. I lazily picked up the sketchbook and pencils I had dropped and wandered over to the weeping willow. I lay down on my stomach and propped myself up on my elbows as I began to doodle. I sang to myself as I did, "One song, I have but one song, one song only for you. One heart tenderly beating ever entreating, constant and true." I was aware of something flying above me, but ignored it and continued to sing. "Another passing broomstick." I thought to myself, but although I heard it pass, I also heard it return and hover. I stopped my song. "A curious listener I suppose." I thought to myself.

I heard a gentle sigh from behind me, "I love to hear you sing." Said Willow dreamily.

I laughed and set my sketching aside in favor of talking to my favorite tree. "Thank you Willow. Though I haven't much of a voice love, I appreciate it."

Willow scoffed, "Don't be ridiculous, you have a lovely voice and you know it. Now stop feigning modesty, you fraud, and continue."

I tore into a fit of giggles, "You're right Willow, I do know it, I just enjoy being complimented."

I sat up and leaned against her trunk, she gently wrapped a low branch around me, urging me to continue. I began again, "One love that has possessed me, one love thrilling me through. One song my heart keeps singing, of one love only for you." I sang the song a few times more, aware of Willow swaying to the notes.

"Willow," I said, "I think I'm done singing for tonight."

She sighed, obviously disappointed, "Alright, I just love to hear you sing," she said. She leaned over and whispered in my ear, "And apparently I'm not the only one. You have an admirer perched up on the roof, and quite a handsome one, I should say."

I laughed and replied quietly, "I thought as much."

I laughed again, as did Willow. I stood up, and unwrapped her branch from about my waist. The second I was back up the fireflies mobbed me again. I danced among them, Willow filling the night air with her gentle laughter. I finally got so dizzy I had to sit down in the grass.

She laughed heartily, "Dizzy a bit?" she asked.

"Very!" I replied while the world spun around me, "I think my eyeballs are going to spin on their own for the next few days!"

She laughed again, "I think it's time you go to bed, you're getting to be more goofy than usual." She gently lifted me off the ground with one of her branches and pushed me toward the house. "Now, now, off with you. Time for silly little girls to go to bed."

I laughed and turned around to look at her, "I quite agree Willow. Goodnight." I picked up my sketchbook and wandered to the back door.

The only question I had now was what to do with my mysterious admirer?