Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. But I do own Nova and possibly other characters. 'Like Me!'…..uhh yeah that was 'Tasha. Say hi 'Tasha. 'Hi peeps!' Enjoy what is it? My second fanfic, 'Tasha? 'I think. Enjoy whatever number this is!' yeah what she said, wrote, thought, grr… ending disclaimer….now! 'Having issues typing are we?' I said NOW! Thank you.

Chapter One: Starting Off

I pounded through the merciless rain, mud flinging onto my jeans and drenching my shoes. Chest burning savagely, lungs like fire begging to be quenched. But I refused taking in another ragged breath, my legs screaming in agony as I forced them into a mechanic motion. The night was a pitch black, the dark-stained clouds creating a celestial abyss of nothing. Just a little more and then I can stop ... just a little farther… I can…I can see…the…castle. My throat constricted painfully as the mist that was forming around me choked me.

"No..." I croaked already sounding dead, my legs buckling underneath me. So close…I was so close… just another…step. My torso slammed against the soggy but still hard ground with a loud splash. I clutched my neck gasping for non-existent air. My free hand clawed at the ground, feebly attempting to drag my heavy body forward. "So close…please…mother…father…help me!"

I felthis presence behind me, panic grasping my heart and restricting its already limited beating. His malevolence, his pure hatred, and joy at the sight of my pain washed in exited waves over me, drowning me in deepest despair. I could feel him outstretch his pale hand, the movement sending shivers down my spine by a cold so like ice it made the frigid rain seem warm.

"Please…no…mother…father... I don't want to die." Holding my breath I squeezed closed my eyes, stopping the rise and fall of my chest. Suffocating I used the energy for breathing and dug my fingers into the soft ground, my heart beat loudly in my ears painfully.

A few more feet.

His cackling voice resounded around me, echoing off of nothing only to be reverberated back to me, ingraining the sound into my subconscious. His footsteps thudded jarringly against the earth; though he left no splashes in his wake, only quivers of the puddle I lay in.

"Just a little longer, and it will be over my dear."

"No." I forced my mouth shut, shaking unsteadily as I rose up onto first my scrapped elbows then my scratched hands. My muddied palms sank with a sickening squelch the kind I unwillingly associated with a sword slicing into flesh.

He hovered over me, inches from reaching out and touching my exposed skin. "No..." My eyes blurred in and out of focus, fear clouding my mind, his hand…that blood splattered hand was reaching closer…so close...I can't…I won't let him touch me.

"No! No… I will not die you bastard!" I pulled my legs beneath me forcing all my energy into pushing off from the ground. My body only flew several feet before colliding once again with the solid ground. I groaned, the restricting of my throat subsiding only slightly. I had made it…finally…

My bearings became blank, but his voice remained, strong and clear, almost caressing my cheek with his breath.

"Just a little longer my dear…"

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I woke up screaming, like I had done for so long, to find myself sweat-soaked and crying colorless streaks down my cheeks. The book that had lain carelessly in my loose hands fell with a clatter onto the floor. I yelped in surprise, jumping to my feet at the sound that shattered through the silence like the breaking of glass.

Panting I staggered backwards, my back colliding with something hard and cold. I shoved my fist into my mouth to stifle another bout of surprise, swirling around. I blinked several times to clear my eyes from the tears and blurriness. As my sight adjusted to the faint light radiating from the lantern on an abandoned desk I was faced with hundreds upon thousands of shelves filled with more ancient texts than I could possibly imagine counting.

I was in….a library? Taking my hand from my face I glanced over my shoulder at the book that lay open, its pages pressed unceremoniously to the stone floor. Suddenly my day flashed before my eyes, I had come here after dinner for some light reading time.

Shakily I walked over to the book and gently picked it up, cradling it to my chest.

"Did I…did I fall asleep?" My throat was hoarse and burned slightly, the sound of my own voice sounding dead to my ears. My head automatically turned to the tall windows overlooking the castle grounds. The moon hung ominously amid twinkling stars and grey puffs of clouds floating lazily across the sky.

I didn't remember falling asleep but from the way I had jerked awake I must have dozed off. But…I had been terrified…heck I still was…standing in my night clothes with a purple sweater I shook from head to toe. I must have had a dream; it couldn't have been my book. Glancing down at the green cover I confirmed my speculations. No. Advanced Potions II was definitely not scary, unless you were terrified of a few pickled eyes, which I wasn't.

I racked my brain, trying but to no avail to remember the dream, if in fact that was what it was. Nothing…just blackness…a blank canvass.

Shaking my head violently I padded my way through the maze of shelves, the floor cold against my sock-encased feet. Taking a sharp left I walked up to an adjacent wall where a tall tapestry of the forest hung. By force of habit I checked the surroundings around me before pulling the thick fabric forward and slipping quietly behind it.

I stumbled blindly down the hidden corridor, wishing I had brought my forgotten lantern. Outstretching a hand in front of me I just managed to avoid what would have been a very rude meeting with the end wall. With my palm pressed firmly against the hard stones I traced my fingers down the surface until I was on my knees before a small opening where two stones used to be. Quietly I pushed the book out first before crawling out myself.

My eyes stung when they were met with the still dark but lighter hallway. I had emerged behind one of the suits of armor, the red carpet soft beneath me. Snatching my book up I hurried down the hallway, the pounding of my feet reverberating in my wake, luckily none of the paintings had awoken to berate me about such noise, I was glad, I wasn't in the right state of mind for their snobbery.

It was about time I went to see Uncle. I knew I should have told him about these reoccurring 'dreams' when I had first awakened screaming or crying, always jumping at the slightest things. I hoped he wouldn't be too angry at me, not that he ever was. Uncle seemed to have a wonderful control over his tempter along with great patience.

Coming to stop in front of the gargoyle that guarded his quarters I stared up at the massive statue. "Lemon cakes." Instantly he sprung to life and the familiar staircase was opened up to me. Springing lithely up the steps in my haste and I skidded to a halt in front of a simple wooden door to catch my breath. Before I could even knock, or figure out what I was going to tell him in the first place, his gentle voice wafted through to me.

"Come along Nova."

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"And how long have you been experiencing these occurrences?"

I stood in front of his desk, all of his odds and ends, trinkets I couldn't name stood around me twinkling and swirling. When I had explained my predicament Uncle hadn't been nearly as frustrated at my belated confession as I had originally imagined, simply puzzled.

I thought back to the first time I awoke terrified, it was hazy because I had thought nothing of it at the time, or any other time for that matter. I had been helping Sevy, as I had named him in my younger years for lack of being able to pronounce either his first or last name, with organizing potion vials in chronological and alphabetical order. In truth I had taken it upon myself to enter his classroom for having nothing better to do (the library had been closed for inspection). Though he didn't seem to have anything against it, mostly just a scowl and a glare, but I was used to his cold behavior by now. Tired I had fallen asleep on the steps of the entrance hall after sitting down. That had been what?

"Maybe eight months ago perhaps?" I watched as Uncle frowned slightly in thought, though the twinkle in his eyes remained. I hoped he wasn't disappointed in me; I hated disappointing him and the others at the castle after all they've given me, raising me even. It was a great honor in my opinion and I tried my best to behave, though such good intentions usually went out the window whenever Peeves came barreling down the hall with yet another idea for mischief.

"You say you cannot remember what you dreamt about. Was it the same way when it started?" I nodded my head wringing my hands restlessly. Why was I so nervous? It couldn't be Uncle. "Go and get some sleep for now."

Yep that was what I had been dreading judging from the sudden drop of my stomach. I was too wired to even think of sleep, let alone allow myself to return to whatever it was, the blank canvass.

"Yes Uncle, good night." Walking past his desk I gave him a peck on the cheek where his long white beard didn't cover his skin and slipped down the marble steps behind him. Still clutching my hands together in a vice-like grip I turned to the left side of the rounded room and hesitantly opened the door to my bedroom.

My room isn't the biggest of things but it suited its purpose. A four poster bed taken from Gryffindor tower sat against the side wall, the red and gold sheets bunched up messily into something looked like a nest. Books, parchment, quills, and empty ink bottles cluttered the floor and my small desk was littered with vials and potion ingredients I 'borrowed' from Sevy.

Sighing I dragged my comforter to a large window on the back wall and curled up in a worn fluffy mass on the built in bench, the red cushion sinking slightly as I sat. I couldn't figure out whether or not I wanted to be in someone's company or stay in quiet solitude.

I decided on the latter knowing full well how busy Uncle's been with the upcoming school year. Yawning loudly I stumbled back to my bed, the comforter tangling my legs and attempting to trip me. It would be better to sleep in a comfy bed rather than an over sized windowsill.

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I finally stumbled into the great hall at a quarter to nine, trying to stifle what felt like my hundredth yawn and rubbing my bleary eyes. It had taken me longer than I thought to finally fall asleep, my mind imagining all the things I might end up dreaming though I wouldn't remember it when I awoke.

By two in the morning I collapsed or rather passed out only to be awoken five minutes later by one of the house elves, Empy, saying I should get some breakfast. Shuffling my feet like a zombie my head snapped up when I heard the clinking of silverware.

Usually by now all the teachers had finished and I had grown accustomed to eating alone from time to time. But there they all were and there was Uncle smiling at me and motioning for me to take the seat next to him. I walked a little faster my curiosity peaking again, the first time it had was when the teachers who didn't live at the castle had come back early.

Crawling under the table to my seat as was my custom I settled in with Miss Minerva on my other side and began pulling eggs and sausage onto my plate.

Small talk was passed between the professors as they ate. I had just finished drinking a glass of pumpkin juice with ice and started buttering a slice of toast when Uncle set his goblet down. Stopping I turned expectantly for what he had to say.

It was only then that I realized that Uncle was looking at me, as was the rest of the table. Slightly startled I set my toast down along the knife and clasped my hands nervously in my lap.

"Uh, yes Uncle?" Beside me Miss Minerva pulled something from her pocket and set it gently on the table in front of me where my plate had been a second ago. Glancing out of the corner of my eye I noticed that the table had been cleared, obviously breakfast was over.

I turned my charcoal eyes back onto the thick envelope lying so casually in front of me. What now? With slightly shaking hands I picked up the heavy parchment staring at the emerald green writing on its front.

Ms. I. Nov'trak

The room inside the headmaster's office

The Seventh Floor

Hogwarts

I felt my heart skip a beat, I knew what this was. Impatiently flipping the letter over sure enough the crest of Hogwarts was stamped onto the fold. Not being able to conceal my smile any longer I tore open the flap and pulled out a lump of folded papers. The first of which I unfolded hopefully.

Sure enough I was proved correct as my eyes danced over the elegant writing that could only belong to Miss Minerva.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL ofWITCHCRAFT andWIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Ms. Nov'Track,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School…

I whooped in triumphant joy hugging first Uncle then Miss Minerva doing my own version of a victory dance, after living here for so long I would be able to finally join the student population like a regular student.

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Over the next few days Hogwarts became chaotic once more as it always did before the school term started. Usually I would help the teachers prepare for future classes or clean the frames of all the paintings littered on hallway walls. But this year I had my own schooling to fret about, not the usual like work, getting lost, or figuring out how to get to class on time, I had lived here too long to let something so trivial bother me. No I had yet to go out and acquire my books and perhaps some new quills.

Almost four (or was it five? I can't remember) days after I had received my letter I was finally able to head for Diagon Alley to get my school stuff. Professor Quirrell had agreed to accompany me for the most part as he had some business to take care of also.

Though he fidgeted and stuttered a lot it was nice to have a familiar face next to me when we flooed to the Leaky Cauldron where Tom greeted us from behind the bar where he rubbed a dirty glass with an equally dirty rag.

"I'll be fine on my own Professor." I said as I turned to speak to the taller man. "I can find everything by myself."

"V-v-very w-well No-Nova. I'll b-be s-s-stopping b-by Gringotts and F-flourish and B-b-blotts for a n-new b-book on v-vampires."

I nodded my understanding and made sure to check my pocket for the bag of gold Uncle had given me, "I-I suspect H-hagrid will b-be he-here t-today, w-would y-you m-mind having h-him take y-you b-back to- to the school?"

"Sure." I smiled at him and he gave me a shaky one in return as he headed towards Tom wringing his hands together nervously. It would be easy finding Hagrid even in the crowds that lined Diagon Alley's streets.

As I left through the back door of the pub I had to keep myself from running in my excitement. When I came face to face with the brick wall I turned to Doris Crockford who had arrived a few minutes before us and had offered to open the entrance for me.

I slipped through the opening after saying my thanks and immersed myself within the bustling mass of tall hats and squawking owls. Rifling through my backpack I produced my now crumpled school list. Skimming over it I decided to my books first since Flourish and Blotts was the closest store I needed to visit.

Pushing my way to the opposite strip of shops I pulled open the door, a bell tinkled over my head. "First things first, The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk." Walking down a random aisle I muttered the author's name under my breath as I ran my fingers lovingly down the leather spines. I had long since read Gowshawk's editions long ago but I'm sure a little review wouldn't hurt anyone.

I rounded the corner and almost ran into a bushy-haired girl whose nose was buried into a large tomb titled Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander. "I'm sorry." I walked past her and glanced down at the list again and concluded that I would indeed need the book currently in her hands.

My voice must have made her realize just where she was because her head snapped towards me. "Oh, are you looking for your school supplies also?"

This caught my attention and I turned back to her. "Hogwarts?" I asked a smile tugging at my lips at her nod. Her eyes fell to my list and she grabbed my wrist pulling me to another section of the store. "Here I can show you where to find your books, though I've already read most of them I suppose we'd have to buy them anyway."

Ahh another bookworm like myself; this could get interesting. "Really? I've read them and think we should at least have a higher year selection, do they really believe we can't do such elementary spells on our own?"

Surprise flitted across her face before morphing into pure joy at my words. "That's just what I was thinking! You know…"

When I had bought all my books, with the help of the girl whose name I forgot to ask for, I headed back into the hustle and bustle of passing witches and wizards. She had had to leave shortly after since she had completed obtaining her supplies before I arrived so I was now walking towards Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions to grab my specifically labeled black work robes and winter cloak with silver fastenings that just had to carry name tags.

Just as I reached out to open the door a black haired boy with thick rimmed glasses walked hurriedly through the door laden with his own school robes. Holding the door open I watched as he walked over to….Hagrid? Hmm, maybe I couldn't find the half giant in a crowd after all. Deciding to greet him when I wasn't pressed for time I walked into the little clothes shop wondering why Hagrid was accompanying the boy who seemed he couldn't get out of here fast enough.

Another bell sounded gently somewhere above my head and a squat witch wearing all mauve turned automatically to me, Madam Malkin.

"Oh deary, I was wondering when Albus would send you my way. Come now I've got the lot here – have young a man finishing up being fitted and another just left in fact."

I groaned inwardly with the foreboding feeling that I would be here far longer than it required to be fitted with two sets of robes. Ever since Uncle had asked Ms. Malk to watch over me for a few days whilst he had visited someone in Romania she's been infatuated with me.

I was led to the back of her small shop where sure enough a boy with a pale pointed face stood on those oh-so comfortable footstools. While Ms. Malkin's assistant, Claudia I think, pinned his overly long black robes.

I stood obediently as Ms. Malk slipped an equally large robe over my head and started to work with her own pinning. I risked a glance over at the boy that still stood taller than me even when I was on a bigger stool but he seemed to sense my curious eyes and turned to inspect me.

He had a haughty air about him and his silver-ish eyes seemed disapproving of everything that dared be in his presence. I shook myself mentally, I had an extremely bad habit of pre-assessing other people.

"Hello." I managed to blurt out hoping he couldn't see the blush spreading lightly across my cheeks.

In way of answer he replied with a curt. "Hogwarts, too?"

"Yeah."

He seemed slightly pleased by this, for whatever reason my pre-assessment couldn't distinguish. "My mother's up the street looking at wands and father's next door buying my books."

I nodded absently. His had a drawling voice laced with boredom; I guess I couldn't really blame him. I would rather be stuck in some book or heck even flying on that new broom Madam Hooch bought me for my birthday last year than standing here trying to look attentive.

"When I'm through here I'm going to drag them off to look at racing brooms. If I can bully father into getting me one I'm sure I could find a way to smuggle it in."

He seemed very sure of himself but I knew exactly what he meant, first years weren't supposed to technically have brooms.

"I still haven't figured out why they won't let us bring our own, we have to be taught how to ride them anyway."

My statement earned me a trademark aristocrat smirk from the platinum haired boy. "Have you got a broom them?"

I stiffened slightly, yes I had a broom, yes a teacher gave it to me knowing I would possibly use it to race Peeves down the halls, and yes I rode it around the Great Hall when Filch was done patrolling. But no that didn't mean I should let a fellow future student get it into his head to take his own also, though I doubt it would stop him anyway. He seemed the stubborn and arrogant type. I shook myself again, too much analyzing Nova!

"No." I lied forcing myself to keep eye contact.

"Play any Quidditch?" The way he asked it, it as though he didn't think that a mere girl could play.

"Sometimes when another player's hurt." I couldn't help smirking back at him.

"You any good?" He shot back obviously displeased by my participation but not at all surprised that I was 'backup.'

"The best." Well not entirely false, just don't expect me to be sorry when I bludgeoned you're face to the same shape and appearance of an ogre. Besides I did help out, mostly with the Gryffindor team when either Wood or a Weasley was sick or attending their fifth detention of the month.

"Do you know what house you'll be in?" I asked, wanting to avoid any more Quidditch talk in case he quizzed me on Scotland's number one teams.

"Though no one really knows until they get there I'm positive I'll be in Slytherin, our entire family has been."

A shiver crept down my spine. The Slytherin's always gave me the creeps, I had only ever associated with one but that was because we had gotten trapped in the same mirror in his third year. I could have sworn he didn't have a hold of my ankle when I pushed him in for singeing my new scarf.

I nodded my consent anyway not really looking at him anymore.

"Where do you think you'll be placed?"

Well that one was easy, though subconsciously I had just made this boy my enemy.

"Gryffindor, defiantly Gryffindor."

The boy frowned slightly. "Gryffindor? I hear that house's full of pansies, barely any purebloods in it, unless their blood traitors."

My mind immediately spun to the Weasley's, I had heard many Slytherin's calling them that. "Blood isn't everything." I muttered without thinking. "Besides many great witches and wizards were in Godric's house.

The pale boy snorted. "Blood is everything, you'll learn that soon enough. What are you anyway, half-blood, surely not pure?"

I glared at him, he must live in a very uptight family to be taught such morals. "I don't know, haven't got any parents." This was true enough, why I just disposed this to a stranger I didn't know but I was getting frustrated by his high and mighty behavior.

"Everyone's got parents, what did they get killed or something?"

I ignored his question, not just from it being personal, but that I truthfully didn't know myself. "I live with my Uncle now, he's a pureblood if that makes you feel any better."

He nodded slowly obviously accepting this as an answer for now. "I can't believe some of the purebloods the Ministry allows wandering around now a days. Their all blood traitors in my opinion. Especially that Dumbledore figure."

My glare intensified at the mention of my Uncle with such distain. "Albus happens to be a great wizard, one of the best of his time."

He turned slightly to me, looking me up and down. "My father says he's a complete nutter, a muggle lover even."

"Well that is true." I murmured thoughtfully remembering Uncle's usual words of 'wisdom' at the beginning of each year.

Before he could answer however Claudia stood stiffly, brushing at her knees. "You're all finished Mr. Malfoy." She said in a quiet voice. Malfoy stepped down from his stool, paid for his robes, and left after giving me a brisk nod and a 'see you at school, I suppose.'

I breathed a sigh of relief, I hated having to converse with the conceited pureblood types. A few minutes later and Ms. Malk was finished with me and saying my farewell I got the rest of my school supplies with the exception of a wand, potion ingredients and possibly a pet.

Walking over to the Apothecary I was instantly intrigued by the inventory. The store's awful smell, something like rotten eggs and cabbages was easy enough to ignore when you were face to face with slimy stuff in barrels and jars of herbs and brightly colored herbs. Buying my things quickly I hurried with newborn excitement to the store across the street.

Uncle had said that when I started school I could get myself a pet, upon entering what would hopefully be one of the last stores I had to visit I spotted a row of cages. Scanning through them I spotted an albino ferret. Reaching inside of its cage I pulled him out.

His fur was as soft as silk with beady sky-blue eyes. He looked adorable with his little nose twitching at the new smell of my tangerine shampooed hair. His pale complexion somewhat reminded me of that Malfoy boy's hair. The sudden image of Malfoy turning into a ferret swept across my mind and it took all I had not to burst into giggles.

"Like that would ever happen." I said to the little ferret as I walked to the counter to purchase him.

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Phillip, as I had come to name my pet ferret, was very obedient for the most part. He sat perched on my shoulder whilst I pushed my way through the thick crowds, growling when someone came to close or when we were comfronted with another animal.

Fifteen minutes later I shoved my tired body into Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.. I had only met Mr. Ollivander once, a long time ago when Miss Minerva needed to have a chat with him. He seemed friendly, but I never really warmed up to him.

"Mr. Ollivander?" I called timidly expecting him to appear out of nowhere like he had the first time I laid eyes on him. Sure enough he came clattering from the back on one of those rickety ladders I swore would break at any minute.

"Ah, yes, Nova, good afternoon. Yes, I thought I'd be seeing you soon." Stupid old man and his amazing memory. "I see you still have you're mother's hair, but you're father's eyes. It seems only yesterday you're mother was in here, buying her first wand. Nine and a half inches long, firm, made of ash. Very good for charm work."

I openly blanched, he knew my parents? More importantly he remembered my mother's wand. Before I could barrage him with questions though he pulled out a tape measure with silver markings from his pocket.

I held my wand arm out as instructed and stood silently as the tape measured from my shoulder to finger on its own, whilst Mr. Ollivander pulled boxes off the many worn shelves.

"I'm surprised you didn't come in with Hagrid earlier. Are you here all by yourself?"

I pulled myself from my thoughts long enough to answer him, trying to ignore the tape that was now measuring my head for some odd reason. "I'm alone for now, Professor Quirrell brought me, and I was hoping to get a ride home with Hagrid. When was he here?"

"He left a few minutes before you yourself arrived. He had a very peculiar costumer with him."

Now this was not what I had expected, Mr. Ollivander calling another wizard peculiar was rare. My mind flashed to the raven haired kid with glasses who had seemed to be with Hagrid.

"Who was it?" I asked generally curious as Mr. Ollivander muttered something about 'holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple, just like his wand.'

"Harry Potter to be exact." I jumped, not from when he flicked his wand and the tape measure snapped from its measuring but from the name. Harry Potter? The Harry Potter was a first year just like me. Well this year would be very interesting indeed.

Walking over to me Mr. Ollivander handed me a dusty gray wand. "Just incase you take after your mother, nine inches, ash with dragon heartstring."

I gave it a lazy sweep and a vase behind Mr. Ollivander's head exploded. Startled Phil scurried form my shoulder into my jacket pocket, poking his little head out.

"Obviously not." I said hurriedly handing him back the wand as though it too would blow up.

"Hmm, perhaps this." He handed me a rich brown wand. "Fourteen inches, oak with hippogriff talon, pliable, excellent for transfiguration." With a flick of my wrist gold and red sparks flew from the wand's tip and sudden warmth spread through my fingers.

"Oh, bravo! Yes, very good, very very good indeed."

Wrapping my wand up for me he pointed me in the direction Hagrid and Harry Potter had taken, wishing me luck at school. When I got back to the Leaky Cauldron Professor Quirrell had already left, like everyone else. I had to find Hagrid first however before using the floo network.

Nervously I entered the muggle streets and made my way past bookstores and music stores until I saw Hagrid walking from a set of stairs leading to a Muggle Underground much to the stares of passerby's.

Waving my un-laden hand above my head I beckoned him over. He smiled down at me as he took some of my stuff and lead me back to the Leaky Cauldron.

"Got all yer things Nova?'

I nodded and had to stifle a laugh when Hagrid practically bent in a ninety degree angle to get into the small fireplace.

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I adjusted my robes and gave my tie one last pull, my eyes never leaving my window as I watched the ferry of boats float across the black waters of the lake. Small pinpoints of light bobbing up and down as my fellow first years arrived.

Grabbing my pointed hat I raced from my room, out Uncle's office and searched for the nearest hidden passageway.

I was late and I knew it when I passed by the Great Hall to see it filled with students. Running to the Entrance Hall's door I saw Professor McGonagall standing in her emerald-green robes. She smiled at me briefly before three booming knocks sounded from the other side of the door.

The door swung open at once and using Miss Minerva as a distraction I ran behind Hagrid's massive form, hidden from view as Miss Minerva began taking the other first years into a small chamber before turning to talk to them. Hagrid gently squeezed my hand and I slipped into the back of the small crowd beside a girl with shoulder length black hair.

No one seemed to notice me, not even the boy on my other side but the girl turned to me immediately. Her dark brown eyes staring at me intelligently, she seemed the kind to not miss a thing.

"You're a first year also? I don't remember seeing you on the train?" Her voice was soft but sweet.

I just nodded my head, unable to think of a reply as Miss Minerva left the room. Murmuring filled the chamber and I heard someone say something about Fred mentioning a test that hurt a lot. If it was the Fred I knew, then that was just something he would say.

There were small screams and gasps of surprise as the house ghosts floated in from the back wall, I ignored them. I had had them sneak up on me so often it was almost expected. The Fat Friar was saying something to the students but my eyes were glued to the door, my stomach a bundle of butterflies.

"Move along, the Sorting Ceremony is about to start." I recognized Miss Minerva's sharp teaching voice. She ordered us into a line and we followed her into the Great Hall.

There were many more gasps and exclamations at the sight of the floating candles and the enchanted ceiling. I merely smiled a feeling of familiar warmth spreading over me. I glanced over at the Gryffindor table hoping to see some of my older friends.

Sure enough Fred and George Weasley, my mischief mentors I suppose you could say, were giving me the thumbs up and pointing to a first year. Craning my neck I glimpsed a head full of red hair. I visibly groaned, yet another Weasley. Just how many are there anyway?

I heard someone up front say "It's bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts, A History." The girl's voice was familiar and she turned out to be that bushy haired book lover I met in Flourish and Blotts. I watched distantly as Miss Minerva set a four-legged stool in front of us, on top was the worn and beaten Sorting Hat.

I waited expectantly as it opened its mouth wide and began to sing its usual beginning of the year song. When it finished the hall erupted into applause, I joined in but not before hearing the new Weasley mention something about killing Fred with a troll. I laughed slightly and glanced at the quiet girl who had noticed me before. She seemed unperturbed by everything but her eyes shone with bottled up excitement.

Miss Minerva stepped forward holding a long strip of parchment. "When I call your name, you will put on the sorting hat and sit on the stool to be sorted. Abbott, Hannah!"

I watched as the sorting hat yelled, "HUFFLEPUFF!"

And so it continued.

"Bones, Susan!"

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Boot, Terry (RAVENCLAW!), Brocklehurst, Mandy (RAVENCLAW!), Brown, Lavender (GRYFFINDOR!).

I held my breath as Millicent Bulstrode became a Slytherin, and Seamus Finnigan became a Gryffindor.

"Granger, Hermione!"

So that was her name? The busy-haired girl practically ran forward. She too ended up in Gryffindor. As more students went up my head snapped back to attention when Miss Minerva called, "Malfoy, Draco!"

I watched, wondering if he would indeed be inducted into Slytherin. The hat hadn't even touched his head before the sorting hat yelled "SLYTHERIN!"

I frowned slightly, I had been looking forward to seeing him proven wrong but that would have to wait I supposed. My stomach clenched even more, there weren't many first years left.

"Moon"…, "Nott."…

I stiffened. "Nov'Track, Irene!"

A/N Yeah so if you hadn't noticed I try to stick close to the book, kinda. If you liked this please, please read Demonic Prophecies which is a story I made up in the Misc. section of books. I don't have many reviews, except from you 'Tasha, so I would really appreciate it if you read that also. Thanx :P