When the students returned to Hogwarts after the holidays, a surprise was waiting for them.

 “Welcome back to Hogwarts,” Professor McGonagall announced to everyone in the Great Hall. “I would like to start the term with a special announcement.”

 “Throughout this term, Hogwarts will be hosting a student exchange program. Students from Beauxbatons, Durmstrang and Ilvermorny who have volunteered to participate will be staying with us until the last week of June.”

 “Wicked,” James said as if it was the best thing since the Firebolt Supreme.

 “The purpose of the program is to introduce you to those from different cultures and to improve the relations between the wizarding world of Britain and those of other countries.” Professor McGonagall continued. “I hope that every one of you will be on your best behaviour and that you will leave our guests with a good impression of the British wizarding world.”

 “First of all, let me introduce you to the students from the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, and their headmistress, Madame Olympe Maxime.”

 Ten to twenty students, who were all wearing uniforms made of light blue silk, made an elegant entrance into the Great Hall. Their headmistress, Madame Olympe Maxime, was a large yet elegant woman who was wearing a black satin coat lined with fur. The Hogwarts students and staff all gave them a round of applause of welcome.

 “That is a big woman,” Hercules said.

 “I love their uniforms,” Georgina said.

 “Have you seen their carriage with the flying horses?” Cosette added. “I wish we had them here at Hogwarts.”

 “I’ve heard that Nicolas Flamel, the maker of the Philosopher’s Stone, was a student at Beauxbatons,” Marigold told the other Gryffindors. “And Teddy told me that Victoire’s mother attended there as well.”

 “Professor Sprout has agreed to let the Beauxbatons students stay with the Hufflepuffs throughout the term.” Professor McGonagall declared.

 The Hufflepuffs, including Teddy and David, started clapping.

 “And now, the students from the Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and their headmaster, Professor Agilbert Fontaine.”

 A group of students, all of whom were wearing blue robes lined with red, entered the Great Hall with their headmaster. The Hogwarts student clapped for them as well.

 “Professor Flitwick has offered the Ravenclaw tower to house the Ilvermorny students during their stay,” Professor McGonagall announced, and the Ravenclaws started cheering.

 “And last but not least, I would like to introduce the students of Durmstrang Institute and their headmaster, Mikhail Smirnov.”

 The Hogwarts students applauded once again as the Durmstrang students, all wearing blood-red robes and furry capes, marched into the Great Hall after their headmaster. Marigold begrudgingly clapped at them.

 “I’ve heard bad stuff about Durmstrang,” she told her friends. “They don’t allow Muggle-borns and they teach Dark Arts.”

 “My mum told me that Smirnov is much better than Karkaroff,” Andrew said.

 “Karkaroff was a Death Eater. Anyone would be better than him,”

 “The Durmstrang students will be staying with Professor Slughorn and the rest of the Slytherin house.”

 “It’s not fair,” James complained as the Slytherins clapped from across the hall. “None of them are staying with us Gryffindors.”

 “I wouldn’t want Durmstrang to stay with us, anyways,” Marigold said. “But I suppose Beauxbatons or Ilvermorny won’t be too bad. I wish one of them were gonna stay with us.”

* * *

 The Gryffindors had Charms with the Ravenclaws. Since the Ilvermorny students were staying with the Ravenclaws, they were to attend Charms with the Gryffindors as well.

 When they arrived at the Charms classroom, Marigold and Andrew took a seat. A blonde girl wearing an Ilvermorny uniform sat down at the desk across from them, next to Isabella Miller, a brunette Ravenclaw with long straight hair. The Ilvermorny girl waved at Marigold and Andrew, who waved back at her.

 “I’m Madison. Madison Brown.” she introduced herself.

 “I’m Marigold.”

 “And I’m Andrew.”

 “I’ve heard that Professor Flitwick is the Head of Ravenclaw, isn’t he?”

“He is,” Miller chimed in.

 “What’s he like as a teacher?”

 “He’s brilliant and quite nice,” Marigold said honestly. “I like him a lot.”

That day, Professor Flitwick taught them the Engorgement Charm and the Shrinking Charm. Although Madison was partnered with Miller since they sat next to each other, it was obvious that she wanted to join Marigold and Andrew, who willingly let her practise the spell with them. Miller seemed a little annoyed.

 After the lesson ended, Madison followed Marigold and Andrew out of the classroom.

 “Is it okay if I join you two for dinner?” Madison asked.

 “Of course,” Marigold said.

* * *

 “Both of my parents were wizards,” Madison told the Gryffindors during supper. “But my dad’s parents were No-Majs.”

 “They were what?” James asked.

 “Non-magic,” Madison said.

 “We call them Muggles here,” Marigold explained.

 “Both of my parents are Muggles,” David, who was sitting with the Gryffindors, said. “Or No-Majs.”

 “What about you?” Madison asked Andrew.

 “My mum’s a witch and my dad’s non-magical,” he replied.

 “Wait, your dad’s a No-Maj?” Madison asked, surprised. “And he married your mom?”

 “What’s so odd about that?” Marigold asked. “It’s quite common. Just look at Professor McGonagall’s parents. And even Voldemort’s.”

 “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude,” Madison said. “I didn’t know that was common here. Back at home, it’s not as common for No-Majs and wizards to get married.

 “Why?” James asked.

 “It’s because of this law called the Rappaport's Law,” she replied. “It banned marriages between Muggles and wizards.”

 “That’s terrible,” Marigold said.

 “Does that law still exist today?” Andrew asked.

 “Not anymore,” Madison said. “It was abolished in 1965. But in America, it’s still pretty rare for a No-Maj to marry a wizard. I guess things between No-Majs and wizards are more equal here in Britain.”

 Marigold glanced over to the other side of the Great Hall, at the Slytherin table, where Alyssa Parkinson and her cronies were laughing and shrieking like monkeys. Across from them was Delphini, who always looked like she wanted to kill someone.

 “Actually, the British wizarding world isn’t so equal either,” Marigold said.