[Mane Minister]

I have been working on this for a while, and my first few chapters aren't great don't get discouraged. I had an idea for an American Boarding School for ages and I almost threw a fit when Charles wrote up something. Now this isn't going to get updated frequently, maybe every week and half. I don't know. I am just practicing writing for this great fantasy book that has great potential if I don't ruin it.

Chapter One

"James, your letter from Stallflames is here," Jim's mother yelled from the kitchen. Jim dropped his suitcase and started to run downstairs. His O.W.L. grades, finally. "We are going to Verdits Alley today. So, I am going to wake up Johnny." Jim snatched the envelope from his mother. He took a sigh of relief when he saw the Stallflames logo, a S in front of flames. Jim opened the letter.

James Leary,

I am pleased to tell you that I am very happy with your O.W.L. grades. Most notably with Arithmancy, no one during my tenure as Headmaster has ever earned an Outstanding. Here is the list.

Arithmancy- Outstanding
Astronomy- Outstanding
Astrology- Exceeds Expectations
Care of Magical Creatures- Outstanding
Charms- Outstanding
Defense Against the Dark Arts- Exceeds Expectation
History of Magic- Acceptable
Herbology- Outstanding
Muggle Studies- Outstanding
Potions- Outstanding
Transfiguration- Outstanding
Theory of Magic- Outstanding
Study of Ancient Runes- Exceeds Expectations

You qualify for all N.E.W.T. courses. I suggest dropping three courses. Thirteen is a lot. Now, the Stallflames Express leaves Union Station in Denver at 2 o'clock sharp on September 1st. Do not miss it. First term ends on December 19th. Stallflames Express leaves Stallflame Village Station on December 21st. Second term starts on January 10th. Second Term ends of May 29th. Stallflames Express leaves on May 31st at 11 o'clock sharp.

I will be pleased to announce that you will Captain the North in Quidditch this year. Please inform Pr. Lokiwits on the try-out date.

You will never guess what will happen at Stallflames this year.

Sincerely,
Headmaster of Stallflames
E. U. P. Frindlewarsh

Jim jumped for joy. Jim smiled in relief. He read over it. He didn't realize he was chosen for Quidditch Captain. "Mom," he yelled, "I'm Quidditch Captain."

"Great, honey," Jim's mother yelled back. She walked down the stairs. She handed Jim a card. "Happy Birthday! I was a couple of days late, so I gave you a better present. Happy 16th." She hugged Jim. He opened the envelope. This envelope was a muggle envelope, perfectly white unlike Stallflames envelope which was ripped and parchment. Three tickets to the Quidditch World Cup Final in Canada. But there was something else, a long piece of paper. Jim unfolded it, it was a deed to a Thunderbolt. All paid for and everything.

"Thank's mom." Jim hugged her. He was going to the Final next summer.

"I ordered it two days ago. I need to make a first deposit, than they will ship it to you." By now Jim's little brother Johnny was up. He was pouring himself some cheerios when an owl flew into the window. It was his real father's. His step-father was a wealthy banker who worked for M&T Bank in Buffalo, New York.

"Mom, it's only my father hoping I made it." Jim sent the owl back with the message. Jim's real father is a wizard who lives in a small house in Maine. He works for the Maine Ministry as Minister of the Magical Sports and Games. Jim's mother left him when George's father accidentally set fire to their house in Maine. His mother married a wealthy muggle after.

"Johnny, let's go to Verdit's Alley." Jim grabbed the letter and walked into the living room. Johnny already had his letter with him.

Jim grabbed a handful of green floo powder. He stepped into the fire place and yelled, "Verdit's Alley." As soon as he knew it, he was in Froseph's Tavern. Jim inhaled the lovely smell of mead and butterbeer. There was only a couple of witches and wizards in the tavern, it was only July 3rd. He knew one person, the tall handsome looking, Pr. Dean. George walked over to him.

Jim's green eyes, buzzed black hair and small muscular build was no match to Pr. Dean's glaring green eyes, long clean black hair, and tall, strong muscular build. Jim only came up to Pr. Dean's shoulder. "Pr. Dean, how has your summer been," Jim asked the Herbology professor.

"Great Jim, I recently came across five rare Terusalep plant seeds. I am trying to grow one right now to try to get more seeds. I'm going to make you, the sixth years grow it to the size of me. How has your summer been? You went to your father's right?"

"Yes, it was fun, my little brother who is going to be a first year met him for the first time. Did you know him?"

"As a matter of fact I did know him. I went to school with him, but not Stallflames. I went to Northeast Campus with your father. We were rivals at Quidditch. I was never able to hoist the Cup. Your father won four straight. Your father was a great guy." Jim noticed that he forgot about his mother and little brother.

"Cool, I'm going to get my school supplies. Bye, Professor, see you at Stallflames." Jim walked over to his family that was patiently waiting. Together they walked through the dimly lit tavern and out the back door into Verdit's Alley. Jim stopped to admire that they were now in the wizarding world. He kicked the uneven cobblestone street. He noticed that the empty lot was filled by a European joke shop, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.

"James, you get Johnny's and your books, I'll get him robes. Surely, he won't want your old robes." Jim was handed his book list. Jim walked into Bernard's Bookstore. There were a few witches and wizards in the bookstore, none of them Jim knew.

"Excuse me," said one of the bookkeepers, "May I help you?"

"Yes, here is the list." Jim followed the bookkeeper around the bookstore. Ten minutes later he had all the books he needed. Jim payed him with his mother's money and gave him a tip. Jim put all the books in his Northface backpack. Jim decided he was going to drop History of Magic, Muggle Studies, and Care of Magical Creatures.

George met his mother and Johnny outside Senora Sunny's Robes. "James, you can have however long to yourself, I'm going to get Johnny a potions kit, telescope, and buy parchment, envelopes, and quills at the General Store and a wand."

"Okay thanks."

"Take thirty galleons, you never know what bargains you'll run into."

Jim walked down the alley. Jim didn't even want to go to the Sports Store. He wanted to check the new joke shop. When Jim finally got to the store, he noticed a banner, Opening Day, everything half off. When Jim walked in, a giant fire cracker exploded right in front of him. Then a tall red head popped out from behind the firecracker.

"Hi, I'm George and you are our first American customer. Everything for you is a three quarters off."

"Cool. Did Harry Potter really invest in your shop?"

"Yes, 1,000 galleons. I have paid him back plus interest, 1,250 galleons. That's all he wanted."

"Cool, so how many locations do you have?"

"Nine," George said , "A tenth is coming after Christmas in Stallflames. I have one in Diagon Alley in London, one in Hogsmeade, one in Dublin, one in Paris, one in Barcelona, one in Tokyo, and one in Cairo. I am the richest shop owner in the wizarding world."

"Really, seventy five percent off?"

"And a quarter off for the rest of your life. So you can come in Stallflames."

"So, what are your specialties?"

"Come follow me. Fireworks, puking pastilles, Peruvian dust, fake wands that make conjurer sneeze blood, our newest invention." The list went on and on. It included love potions, Extensible Ears, Pimple vanishers, pygmy puffs, daydream charms and muggle tricks.

"Okay, the fireworks look really cool."

"Weasley's Wildfire Whiz Bangs. Great invention. If you try to stop them, they get bigger. How much?"

"Thirty galleons worth. That's it." There was a long pause, George was concentrating on which fireworks to give him. Finally he started pulling boxes from every which way.

"Cool." George made a separate pile. "Wait I didn't ask you your name?"

"Jim Leary." George waved his wand at the boxes and they were flown to the cashier. "Patrick, thirty galleons." Jim walked to the cashier. Then the bell rung and three young kids ran in. "Thirty galleons."

"Here."

"Free of charge you get a beginner pack of muggle card tricks and ten 'sneak bags' that can not be seen except for the one who uses it and can not be sensed."

"Thanks." Jim walked back to the tavern and went back to his house. Jim didn't want his mother to know about this. Jim loved pranks. Once in his third year, he found a spell in the restricted section that plants acne on a person's face. Better if anyone tries to get rid of it it get's bigger. He used it on his rival, Tim. It started as one pupil. He finally left it alone after about twenty. It was hilarious. Jim didn't even get caught.

Jim planned on using them after a win in a Quidditch match. He would sneak everyone out of the palace hopefully lure a teacher who tries to stop them. Then they would multiply. That would be awesome.

Jim returned to the Tavern. Jim still had twenty minutes left. He walked to Sport's Store. There he saw Sean admiring the Thunderbolt. He walked over there towards the display case. The maple handle with the lightning bolt logo. Just like the one on Harry Potter's forehead.

"Hey Sean. How has your summer been so far?" Jim asked his fourth year keeper.

"Great, life in Alfred's Arch is great. Did you know it is one of four all wizarding villages in North America?"

"So, have you played quidditch at all?"

"Everyday, I had my cousin work me out. Have you?"

"Just a little, you got to have the team over next summer."

"Did you get captain?"

"Yes, I got captain. I thought it was going to be one of the beaters. What kind of broom do you have again?"

"I have a Nimbus 2000, it's a good broom for a keeper in my opinion."

"Well my mom ordered a Thunderbolt for my birthday she says I'll need it for the season. I should be getting it in a month."

"Cool."

"Have you checked out Weasley's Wizard Wheezes yet?"

"No, I was going to go after this."

"It's awesome, everything is half-off. Well, I'm going to get some rice from Madam Lee."

This post has been edited by Orange Dragon Rider: 28 August 2009 - 09:08 AM

[Kveykvakonungr]

more! I demand more!

also, english school grades & american school grades are different so I thought you would have reflected that in the wizarding world, no?

[Mane Minister]

more! I demand more!

also, english school grades & american school grades are different so I thought you would have reflected that in the wizarding world, no?

I thought about it, but I would like to keep it as simple as possible.

_ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Chapter 2-

Two months later.....

"First years over here," yelled Pr. Snowred as the green train rolled into the station. "Older kids to the carts." Jim grabbed his backpack and motioned for Johnny to follow him. They jumped into the busy corridor with Jim's best friend, Chris, following him. They stepped out the door. "Johnny, you are going Pr. Snowred and journey through the Dwarfish mines. Its real cool in there. Good luck, hope you get in North."

"Bye," he called back. The sun was starting to set. The air seemed very light because the high altitude. Jim and Chris met up with a tall sixth year with blond hair and green eyes who was wearing North Robes. Her name was Claire. Together they walked towards one of the mine cars.

These mine cars led you to a two hundred foot drop and all these turns and twists and hills. One cart carries six people. It leads you passed Stallflames Village and near Stallflames and you get out, walk like a mile than enter the Great Forum. Muggles argued what was the first roller coaster. It was this. The Russians copied it. Jim, Chris, and Claire got in line. Behind them was Katie and two East boys. Katie had beautiful tan skin, green eyes, and dirty blond hair. She was a Sixth Year in North. Jim made himself ask her out this year. He winked at Chris and turned around.

"Hi Katie, I haven't seen you in a while."

"Yeah, hi Jim."

"I was wondering if I could sit next to you."

"Okay, cool." Finally they were in the front of the line. A cart came flying down the track. It stopped, Katie and Jim got in the back of the cart. This was powered by magic. Once everyone sat down it took off. Slowly it climbed two hundred feet up in the sky.

"Katie," Jim said in a whisper, "Would you like to go to Madam Nora's Tea the first time we go to Stallflames Village. They were only halfway up the hill.

"Yes, Jim, I would like that." She bent over and kissed him on the cheek.

To get him mind over what just happened, he shouted, "Hands up."

Chris yelled back, "There isn't anything to hold on to." Chris was right. The only thing keeping them from death was magic. They were at the top of the hill. They started going down. Katie let out a scream. They were going pretty fast. They went up a small hill that they flew up off the top of. Then they went into a two hundred seventy degree right turn. The cart went up around one hundred feet and dropped and a camera went off.

The rest of the ride was a series of small hills and twists. Jim got up out of the cart, grabbed his bag. He helped Katie out of the cart and then she started talking to Claire. Jim waited up for Chris. "Nice one Jim. I didn't know she liked you."

"I knew she did, but I didn't think she liked me that much. A kiss before our first date."

"She might have thought the ride was a date."

"I don't think so. So what courses are you dropping?"

"Arithmancy, definitely, I can't believe you made me take that class." They let out a small laugh. "History of Magic, I failed Potions. Actually you know what, I'll think it'll be better to tell you what classes I'm taking. Charms, DADA, Transfiguration, Theory, Ancient Runes and Astronomy."

"That's it. I am just dropping Astrology, Muggle Studies, Care of Magical Creatures and History of Magic. You aren't taking Herbology?"

"Oh right I am." they walked the rest in silence. Jim couldn't believe that he already got a kiss. But it really wasn't a kiss, was it? Jim needed a better one. Finally they reached the gate. Pr. Dean, the Herbology professor was waiting.

"Names?"

"James Leary."

"Hello Jim, have a good year at Stallflames."

"Christopher Chase."

"Hi Chris."

"Hi, Professor Dean."

On the horizon a great palace stood. Its light red stone glittered with the help of the last glares of sunlight. The Great Forum's Dome was polished over the summer and it looked great. They got to the great stone steps that led to the Doors. They walked into the castle and went straight into the Great Forum.

Once everyone was there, Pr. Lokiwits, the Deputy Headmaster started reading off the names of first years.

"Peter Andrews."

"East."

"Kyle Ammelt."

"North." Jim's table erupted. The first of eight new first years and only three boys left for John.

"Jamie Ammelt."

"North." Jim's table erupted. They were twins.

"George Appleton."

"South."

"Lindsay Baker."

"East."

"James Beckett."

"West."

"Jack Burns."

"South."

The list went on and on, and Jim didn't pay attention til it got to l.

"Chris Langston."

"West."

"John Leary."

"North."

Johnny made it into North. So he is talented. Johnny sat down next to Jim while also sitting next to a first year girl name Mary. The cloak finally sorted everyone into a house. Then Pr. Frindlewarsh stood up to the podium and pointed his wand at his neck.

"Hello, young witches and wizards, I would like to welcome you to the Five Hundred and Eighth school year." There was a giant applause. "Now, do to a series of rather unfortunate events Professor Jackson had to retire. The new Potions Master will be Professor Preziosi, who used to be Professor of Muggle Studies. Congrats Jessica. The new teacher will be Professor Trebor. Give a hand of applause.

"First years, the Ferocious Forest if off-limits like always for first through fifth years. For sixth and seventh years, you will need permission from the Game Keeper or Care of Magical Creatures, Professor Snowred. Please check the items that are banned from Stallflame's found on Mr. Yeart's office.

"Now, finally, before you get to eat, I would like to greet an old friend. Please welcome Minister of International Affairs, Mr. Utterback."

"Thank you, Pr. Frindlewarsh, great to see you again. Now students, I would like to inform you that Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, Freezefish Center for Learning Magic in Canada, and Rio Academy for Magic in Brazil are coming here to compete in the First Junior Quidditch World Cup. A new training pitch has been made during the summer that will accommodate practice. Now there will be two groups of ten teams and in those two groups will be two more groups. There are nine other schools competing in the group. The are Beauxbaton's, Durmstrang, Hravtski School in Croatia, Olympic Institution in Greece, The Murray School in Oceania which has two teams participating, Flying Carpet Academy in Algeria, Rocky Coast School in Ghana, and Tokyo Preparatory School for the Ministry. They are playing at The Murray School. The winner from that group will play the winner from this group at World Cup Park in Canada three days before the Final."

There was a large applause. Jim was bouncing up and down in his seats. He got to captain the North.

"Group One will consist of the East, the North, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, and Rio Academy. Group Two will consist of the South, the West, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Freezefish Center. The first match is in November. Contact your Head of House for the Try-Outs."

"Thanks Mr. Utterback. Now, I know students that this will be a fun year, Freezefish Center, Hogwarts and Rio Academy are coming the day before Halloween. I would like you to report any mess to the nearest painting so that painting can report it to our care taker Mr. Yeart. Now let's eat. Don't be shy, we'll never run out of food first years." Pr. Frindlewarsh snapped his fingers and plates full of food appeared.

Jim grabbed a roll and stuffed it with roast beef and mashed potatoes. He grabbed the gallon of pumpkin juice and poured some in his glass. He also took some

"Jim, can you believe it?" asked Jim's friend Chris who had long brown hair and brown eyes.

"This is going to be awesome. I get to captain the North. All we have to do is replace a chaser and a." He got interrupted from Claire, a muggle born witch from Baltimore.

"I'm going to try out for chaser. It doesn't look as hard as lacrosse." Claire went to a private school in Baltimore and already had a full ride to Johns Hopkins to play lacrosse.

"Claire, I'll bet you a thousand galleons that quidditch is harder than lacrosse."

"What's lacrosse?" asked Chris. Chris was a pure-blood wizard.

"Lacrosse," Claire said, angry at Chris for not knowing about her favorite sport, "is a fun sport that differs im men and women." She went on for another half of an hour. She finally stopped.

"Now as I was saying before all we need is a chaser and a seeker. We have the two best beaters in Stallflame's and a keeper that has a lot of potential. We have a good shot of winning this."

After another two hours of stories of the summer, Pr. Frindlewarsh dismissed Jim and the rest of the students. They followed the perfects out the side door into the Library Courtyard. Jim looked up at the palace. It sat in the middle of a square where all the dormitories for students are and where the hospital wing and herbology class rooms are. They walked back in through a door which was the East-West Corridor. They followed it till it reached the North-South corridor. They walked past the Dueling Room. Finally they reached the common room.

The common room was guarded by a painting of a man with a big wig. The perfect said the password any everyone got through. The perfects stopped everyone before they could get to the beds.

"Bathroom schedule, tomorrow morning, First and Second years at six forty, Third and Fourth years at six fifty five, Fifth and Sixth years at seven ten, and seventh years at seven twenty. Regularly, First and Second years get it at eight the night before, Third and Fourth at eight thirty the night before, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh years at seven in the morning. Pr. Lokiwits wants 3rd and Sixth years at seven fifty at his office. Now all of you off to bed," stated a perfect in the seventh year. Jim found Johnny and told him good night.

Jim walked towards the door on the right. That led to seven bedrooms each with four beds in it for the boys. The passage on the left lead to the girl's bedrooms. There is a bathroom, another common room, a small library and study upstairs. He finally got to the sixth room on the right. There were four beds. He looked at the message board. Apparition class for all sixth years. Starts last Thursday in September. It costs twelve galleons. Jim found the bed where his stuff was. He was relieved that the fireworks were not stolen. He promised to write to his mother in the morning. He found his alarm clock and went to bed.

This post has been edited by Orange Dragon Rider: 28 August 2009 - 09:07 AM

[Blue Swords]

Really good, I liked how you gave names for so many of the people and gave lots of detail.

I didn't understand how the children were chosen for the houses, though, could you please explain?

[Kveykvakonungr]

nice chapter, I'm going to keep an eye on this, but for now I'm off to browse the incredible edible internet! Loving the cultural diversity in this book, word to the wise, don't have the JimxKatie relationship go perfectly, be sure to have a few bumps along the way

Bow chicka bow wow lol

One problem I had was when Katie agreed to go out with Jim, "Yes, Jim, I would like that." it just didn't sound like something a modern girl would say, perhaps something like: "sure that'd be great!"

This post has been edited by Kveykvakonungr: 07 September 2009 - 02:06 PM