A/N: According to J.K. Rowling, Charlie Weasley never married. There are many theories why. I believe he gave his heart to someone but their work keeps them separate. It's a work in progress, so as I finish a new chapter, it will go up. Hopefully it'll be once a week, if not more. So, follow if you wish to keep reading. Enjoy!

Chapter 1

The Exchange Student

The barrier to Platform 9 ¾ gave way and Dana Ashland breathed in a great cloud of smoke. Coughing, she tried to clear her vision. A whistle sounded above the chattering students and squawking familiars.

A fire red engine sat at the end of the tracks, billowing steam. Dana let her mouth hang open at the sight. She hadn't been expecting this. Well, actually she didn't know what she'd been expecting. It wasn't one of the sleek contraptions no-majs used, but a steam engine.

Someone bumped into her, breaking Dana from her trance. Over the noise she heard a quick "sorry," before the person disappeared back into the crowd of students and carts. All right, she needed to get a grip on herself. It's not like she was a measly first-year! She was sixteen. Still, it was sort of like the first day of school all over again.

She didn't know a single person and as soon as she opened her mouth, they'd be able to tell she didn't belong. Why hadn't she just stayed at Illvermorny?

Right now, she and Sam would be having a laugh at the bumbling first-years while Laura tailed after them. Though with her gone, Laura might get the courage to actually talk to Sam. Dana snorted. It wasn't likely.

Goon hooted from his cage beside her. Dana stared at the great-horned owl as he cocked his head to the side, his tuffs ruffling in the breeze.

"Yes, I know I've been looking forward to this." With all the letters and forms she had to fill out to make this work, she'd better enjoy herself.

Trying to calm her twisting stomach, Dana pushed her carriage forward.

After making sure Goon and her luggage was settled, Dana moved through the compartments. Students of all ages were running around, saying hello to old friends and avoiding others. A few looked in her direction, but most ignored her. That sort of treatment wasn't unfamiliar. It wasn't like she was a model or anything. At 5'10, she had long, muscular legs and broad shoulders. After this past summer, her normally light skin was closer to copper. Freckles peppered her nose which sat in between a pair of green eyes. Her brown hair had gone blonde and semi-frizzy in the sun. Nothing too spectacular.

Most compartments were full. Dana stopped near a few, debating to go in, but the occupants were too engrossed in their conversation to notice her. So, she moved on. Near the back of the train a compartment door stood ajar.

Inside sat three students around her age: a short girl with long blonde hair in a single braid, a large burly boy with close-cropped brown hair and a tall thin boy whose black hair hung dangerously close to his eyes. Dana approached, drumming her fingers on her thighs. It was now or never. If she didn't go in, then she'd spend this seven-hour trip all alone.

"Hi," her voice came out as a squeak. They all turned toward her and she took a deep breath. "Can I sit here?"

"You're American!" the taller boy said.

Dana nodded.

"I think you're going to the wrong school." The burly boy laughed.

Dana stepped back slightly.

The girl elbowed the burly boy. "That's not nice." She turned to Dana. "We have plenty of seats."

"Thanks." Dana slid in and took a seat next to the taller boy.

"I'm Elizabeth Clarke," the girl said. "That's Owen Mullens." She pointed to the boy next to Dana. "And this jerk is Ed Stein."

Ed slung his arm around her shoulder. "If I'm such a jerk, why are you going out with me?"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "I've taken too many spells to the head."

"It's nice to meet all of you. I'm Dana Ashland." Dana sat on her hands to keep her nerves down.

"So, why are you here?" Owen turned to her. "Don't the states have a school?"

"We've got Illvermorny. That's where I normally go. But I have special permission to study under Professor Kettleburn this year."

"Ah, you're a Care of Magical Creatures type." Ed leaned back.

Dana nodded. "I've been chancing after magical creatures since I can remember. I heard that the Great Lake at Hogwarts has a colony of Merpeople! Professor Kettleburn is helping me set up a project to study them."

"You're going to dive in that lake?" Ed raised an eyebrow. "You Americans are crazier than I thought."

"I think it's cool," Elizabeth said. She turned to Dana. "What year are you in?"

"Sixth."

"Awesome, so are we. Do you know what house you're in?"

Oh, right. Dana hadn't given any thought that Hogwarts had different houses than Illvermorny. Though, she did read a little about them in Hogwarts, A History. She hadn't wanted to come to England and look like the stereotypical clueless American.

"I don't know."

"Huh, I wonder if you'll be sorted with the rest of the first years." Owen studied her.

"That would be a riot!" Ed laughed. "She'd tower over all of them."

"Be nice," Elizabeth scolded. "Or I will stick you in a vanishing cabin."

Ed's face paled. Owen laughed. "At least she didn't threaten to hex you. Her bat-bogey hex is not one to be on the other side of."

"George, I found the earwax every-flavored bean!" Someone yelled in the hallway.

"Nice job Fred. Let's go trick Percy into eating it." Two red-headed first years rushed past the compartment.

All three Hogwarts students began to laugh. Dana furrowed her brow.

"I can't believe they're here." Elizabeth wiped tears from her eyes.

"Charlie's going to have his handful with those two," Owen said.

"I'm confused." Dana looked to them for answers.

"Oh, you'll meet Charlie Weasley soon. He's the Gryffindor Prefect in our year," Elizabeth said. "We're all in Gryffindor, too."

"You'll like Charlie. He's a big Care of Magical Creatures guy," Owen said. Ed was still laughing too much to respond.

"What do two first-years have to do with him? They might not even be put in Gryffindor."

"Those were the twins, Fred and George Weasley. They're the trouble makers in the family." Elizabeth tugged on her braid.

"Oh, I can empathize. I've got a little sister. She started Illvermorny just last year. It's a pain having her around."

"No, I don't think you get it." Ed shook his head, still smiling. "Charlie's got four younger brothers and a younger sister."

"Wow, five siblings. I can't imagine that."

"You forgot Bill," Elizabeth said. "He just graduated last year." She turned to Dana. "God was he good looking."

"I'm sitting right here," Ed reminded her.

"I chose you, didn't I." She patted his cheek.

Ed grumbled in response.

Dana chuckled. "Is there anything else I should know?"

"Yes, stay away from Slytherins," Owen said. "They're a nasty sort. Lucky for you, you sat in the right compartment."

As the train chugged along the English country side, the three Gryffindors explained the ins and outs to Dana, better than any book could. Soon Dana's head was swarming. There was a lot to learn. It truly was like she was a first-year once more.

About three hours in, the compartment door slammed open and a stocky red-headed boy stormed in. He was about Dana's height, maybe an inch taller. His hair was a tad too long, flopping into his blue eyes. Freckles peppered his fair skin, making him look like he had a tan. Although he had a grimace, there was a certain energy about him. His school robes, which looked a little worn down and frayed around the edges, couldn't hide his muscular build.

"Sorry it took me so long. Tonks tripped over her own two feet and set sparks flying from her wand. She nearly incinerated a group of third-year girls." He sat down next to Elizabeth and his eyes locked onto Dana's.

"Charlie, this is Dana." Elizabeth made the introductions. "She's an exchange student from Illvermorny, here to study with Professor Kettleburn. I'm sure you two can compare your notes on dragons and the like."

"Oh." Charlie studied Dana for a moment. That was the only word he said for the rest of the trip.

…

Night had fallen by the time the train came to a crawl. Dana was glad her school robes were warm because despite it being early September, a cool breeze greeted them at the station. They must be much farther north than she'd anticipated.

"First years! First years!" A giant of a man bellowed over the horde of students.

Dana gaped. He stood nearly ten feet tall. There was no way this man wasn't part giant. But from what she read about giants, they were aggressive creatures. Beneath his shaggy black beard, this man was smiling.

"That's Hagrid." Elizabeth stood next to Dana, hunched over to protect herself from the wind. "He's the grounds-keeper at Hogwarts. I'm sure you'll be seeing a lot of him since Professor Kettleburn likes to have him help out with Care of Magical Creatures every now and then."

"Do you think I should go with the first years?" Dana asked.

Ed snorted. "Only if you want to cram yourself into one of those tiny boats."

"Ride with us." Elizabeth took Dana's arm and led her toward a row of carriages. Some already had students in them and were rolling away, pulled by an invisible force.

"Those aren't thestrals, are they?" Dana hurried up to the carriage. Holding out her hand, she reached into the air just ahead of the carriage. Though she couldn't see it, her hand landed on a bony body.

"This is so cool!" She studied the contours of the thestral's body. Heat from his nose tickled her face as she moved past. "Ugh, what I wouldn't give to actually be able to see one."

"You want to see someone die?" Charlie stopped halfway into the carriage.

Dana cringed and looked at the four Gryffindors who were all studying her with weird expressions on their faces. Owen stared at the ground.

"That's not what I meant. I-I…" she trailed off, not sure how to finish.

Instead, she climbed into the carriage and they took off. Silent, Dana stared ahead. Soon, the trees parted and she took a breath. Windows all aglow, a castle rose above them. Turrets pierced the night sky and bridges connected various parts. Beyond a lake rippled in the dark.

"Welcome to Hogwarts." Elizabeth chuckled.

"It's gorgeous." Dana couldn't tear her gaze away, even as they exited the carriage.

"Miss Ashland!" A curt voice cut through the din of students.

Dana turned to see a stern woman sweep up to her. Emerald robes glittered in the candle light and behind her spectacles, her eyes narrowed.

"Hi Professor McGonagall." Elizabeth waved.

"Miss Clarke, Mr. Stein, Mr. Weasley, Mr. Mullens." Professor McGonagall nodded to each one of them in turn. "I see you met our transfer student, excellent."

So this was Professor Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress. She had contacted Dana multiple times over the past year as they finalized plans.

"Miss Ashland, if you will come with me, we have a few last minute details to sort."

"Of course, Professor." Dana waved goodbye to Elizabeth and the boys before hurrying after Professor McGonagall.

"You have completed most of what Hogwarts, Illvermorny, MACUSA and the Ministry require of you." Professor McGonagall spoke as she hurried up the stairs of the castle.

Dana barely had time to gawk at the statues or giant entrance hall. Keeping her robes in one hand, she tried not to trip over them.

"However, there remains the issue of where you will stay when you are here at Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall continued to speak. "The headmaster and I decided that instead of have you sorted along with the rest of the first years, you would do it in private. That way there will be less questions from the students. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Professor." Dana ducked through the door Professor McGonagall held open. It was a small chamber, bare except for a single stool on which a tattered hat had been placed.

"You will be sorted into one of our four houses: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff. While you are here, your actions will represent your house as well as Illvermorny." Professor McGonagall picked up the hat and motioned for Dana to sit.

Throat dry, stomach in knots, Dana fought hard not to shake as she took a seat. Professor McGonagall slid the hat onto her head.

"Well, this is interesting," a small voice said in her ear. Dana jolted. She'd been a witch all her life, yet she still couldn't understand when inanimate objects spoke.

"You are older than most students I sort," the sorting hat continued. "Much more defined in your ways. I see you are a love of all animals. There is a kindness in your soul. You may fit well in with Hufflepuff. But to come all the way here by yourself, that takes bravery. Not many would be willing to do what you've done. You're determined and headstrong, I see."

"Would you hurry," Dana whispered. "Make up your mind already. Though I don't see how a hat can have a mind."

"Yes, you are certainly tough. I think you may scare some of the Hufflepuffs. Well, in that case….

"GRYFFINDOR!"

"