False Greetings and Betrayals

"Silence!" Headmaster Dumbledore's voice rang out through the Great Hall and it became quiet. "Welcome to another great year here at Hogwarts—" Blah blah blah I've heard it all before. A new DADA teacher, first years have a nice time, the third floor corridors are forbidden all of that. I waited for the perfect moment to make an entrance.

I pulled my pigtails a bit tighter, I fixed my jumper and pulled my socks up so they were a little under my knees instead of bunched at my ankles. I patted my face lightly before I pushed the Great Hall doors open and there was silence once more. My breath quickened a bit more as everyone stopped to look at me.

"And who might you be?" Dumbledore's voice was loud in my ears and I flinched. I looked around the hall, taking in all of the eyes and every face that was familiar to me. "Well?" I looked at Dumbledore again and cleared my throat.

"My name is Harli Jay Porter."

There was a moment of chatter and I waited for the moment when someone would shout: "that's Harry Potter dressed like a girl!" but that moment never came.

"Well then Ms. Porter," Dumbledore gave me a kind smile behind his long white beard, "please come forward. As a new student, you must be given a house."

"Ms. Porter, if you would, please sit on the stool so that we may sort you." Professor Mcgonagall ushered me to the stool and before she could even pick up the Sorting Hat, I took a calming breath and cleared my mind, hoping the Sorting Hat would not reveal my secret. She placed the hat on my head and it wriggled around. Everyone's eyes were on me even the ghosts stopped to stare.

"Hmm, don't tell the secret eh?" I bit my lip and shut my eyes tight. "Hmm, I'll put you in... Gryffindor!"

Cheers burst from the entire table and I sighed in relief even though I expected nothing different. I went to the table and sat down next to Hermione and across from Ron.

"Ms. Porter, enjoy your stay here at Hogwarts," Headmaster Dumbledore winked at me and it set my nerves on edge.

I nodded quietly and the old man stood from his seat and clapped his hands together, "let the great feast begin!"

Hermione introduced herself and Ron, while the others told me their names I already knew. I waited for the onslaught of questions but food came first of course, and everyone piled their plates with mountains of food. After that, I was bombarded with questions like where I was from, how old I was, who my parents were, all the curiosity questions.

"Hey Harli," it was Seamus, "you're a first year right?"

"Are you crazy? Do I look like a first year? I'm a fourth year." I replied.

"Eh? Why didn't you start here at Hogwarts? I've never seen you before." Ron asked as if weren't the most obvious thing.

"There were some other things going on in my life, that's all. I didn't even know about Hogwarts until recently."

"How were you able to come here? Did you take basic classes? Will you start in fourth year classes?" Hermione asked.

"I took an exam this past summer at the ministry to determine my skill level and what classes I would take when I started here. I could take my O.W.L.s this year but they wanted me to be with others my age." I explained. "I will be taking advanced classes this year for extra prep for the tests."

"So Porter huh?" It was Fred and George, "it's a name we've never heard before. What kind of family are you from?"

"Actually, I'm a relative of the Potters. James Potter was my uncle on my dad's side. My dad married a muggle and took her surname."

"James Potter never had a brother, he was an only child." Fred, I think, replied.

"My dad once told me a story before he died, he said that he didn't want a life in the wizarding world. He went around and erased the memory of everyone who knew of him. He erased himself from the Potter family tree and completely wiped away his existence from everyone, including his parents. After that he pretended they didn't exist, as if he never had parents, as if he had never been born here. I thought it was plenty ridiculous but he said he wanted a normal life with a normal wife and a normal child. I wasn't normal of course, and after my parents died I was sent to a family who abused me everyday. I despised them and I always wanted to set them on fire but I didn't know how to control my magic. At the time, I didn't even know what it was, I thought I was going mad having things move without me touching them," the words spilled from my lips as if they were true, "and then one day, I was met with a rather intriguing surprise. A boy named Harry came to see me one day. He said he needed to go away for a while and he needed someone to take his place so that people wouldn't worry about him. He gave me his wand and showed me how to use and control my magic. He gave me books and materials to learn all of the things I needed to know to be a decent witch. He gave me an envelope with an acceptance letter to Hogwarts and a letter from the Minister of Magic allowing me a skills test and entry into Hogwarts. And, he gave me a blanket type thing that he said would allow me to cause mischievous without being seen. After that, he disappeared. I never saw him again. He charmed me, if only for those few days I was able to get to know him." Most of the Gryffindors had gone quiet to listen to my story and I was rather surprised myself when tears began to slip down my face.

"Oh goodness, I'm sorry," I wiped my eyes and frowned at how easy it was to lie to their faces.

Hermione patted my back and I smiled at her. "I didn't think it would be quite so overwhelming when I agreed to come here. I hope I have a wonderful time."

"Did Harry say anything to you? Why did he leave? Where did he go?" The chatter became louder and I took in a deep breath.

"I'm not sure where Harry went. He just said he had to go away for a while. I was asked all these same questions by the aurors when I went to the ministry, they seemed to really be alarmed. He didn't give me any clue to where he went, what he was doing, or why. I just know that one day he was there and the next day he was gone. No trace."

They all seemed to process this information quietly and Ron, poor poor Ron, his face was a bit red and his hands were clenched tightly. I never felt more remorseful for my decisions than I did at seeing his face that way.

I felt a burning glare on the back of my neck and at first I thought it was Snape but the sensation wasn't coming from his direction and I looked over my shoulder at one Draco Malfoy who was staring a hole through me. I shivered as I looked away and bit my lip. Had I been found out? No, if it was Malfoy, he would have blurted it out immediately. I looked back and he was still looking at me as if he was seeing right through all of my lies.

"Harli, are you feeling alright? You haven't even tried to make a plate yet." Hermione asked.

"Hmm? Oh yes, I am fine, I'm just not hungry is all. I, um- who is that?" I asked, ushering my head to the blonde.

"Oh, that's Malfoy, Draco Malfoy, I'd stay away from him, he's nothing but trouble. Why?" Ron replied.

"No reason, I just noticed he's been staring for quite sometime." It wasn't a lie, I did catch his eye.

"I'm not surprised, you are really pretty," Seamus randomly joined our conversation, "I don't think there's anyone who wasn't looking at you."

"Why thank you Seamus," I winked at him and he turned red.

Things began to slow down immensely and Dumbledore stood up to make his end of feast announcement. "It is now time to return to your dorms. First years, follow along with your housemates and have a good night everyone. Classes begin first thing."

Everyone began filing out of the Great Hall calmly and I got up but was stopped when Dumbledore asked me to stay.

"Go ahead without me," I smiled at Hermione and walked to the Head Table and stood in front of Dumbledore. "Yes sir?"

"You seemed to have settled in well. Professor Mcgonagall is your Head of House, should you have any trouble with your housemates she is the person to go to. I expect great things from you Ms. Porter." He had that uncomfortable, knowing twinkle in his eye, "do you have anything to say?"

"No sir, but if I think of anything I will be sure to let you know."

He nodded to me and allowed me to leave. I walked out of the Great Hall, deep in my thoughts and bumped into a body.

"Ah, I'm sor-," my apology died in my throat when I realized I'd bumped into Draco Malfoy.

"Ah, the new girl, pity you had to be sorted into that house. Making friends with the worst type of people," He remarked snidely. "I'm Draco Malfoy, you'll do well to remember it."

It still pissed me off to this day and I tisked and smiled, "I know who you are don't worry, they made sure to let me know the moment I stepped in the door. Such a bad rep to have isn't it, being the absolute worst?"

"Better than being a Gryffindor," he replied haughtily.

"Ah but see, if Gryffindors are the worst type of people, what does that say about you?" I raised an eyebrow and he scoffed in amusement.

"If you think you're insulting me, you're sorely mistaken," he gave me a once over with his eyes and smirked, "next time you want to try, don't do it with a uniform from the trash, have some tact. I'll lend you one, but it'll cost you."

I stepped closer to him and smiled back, "not everyone grew up with a silver spoon and a shrewd sense of self worth. I don't need anything from you and you can keep your baseless self confidence."

I slid past him with a hum and he grabbed my arm, "let go of me!"

"Don't think for a second that we are done here," he sneered.

I yanked my arm away and rubbed my wrist, "you're trying to win a losing fight Malfoy, don't embarrass yourself more." I smiled and turned away again, "next time you want to try, don't do it with such desperation."

I left him there with that and continued toward Gryffindor Tower.

"You better watch yourself, new girl, someone might do something you don't like." He called and I waved him off.

Dumbledore was suspicious of me, sure, but I had all of my proper paperwork thanks to the help of the old man Cornelius Fudge and the helpful Obliviate charm. I had established myself back into Hogwarts life so easily, and I would not allow this new life I had set up for myself be ruined by anyone.

I entered the Gryffindor Tower and I was lucky that I'd heard the password before I got there by a few people leaving the Great Hall.

I tredged up the stairs and into the girls dorm, which was extremely unnerving. Hermione was pacing the dorm.

"There you are! I was worried about you! Did you get into trouble?"

"No, I ran into Malfoy on the way back. Quite literally I might add."

"Oh no. Did he hurt you?"

"No, he wouldn't dare."

"You don't know what Malfoy would do," she shook her head.

"It's fine Hermione, I'm fine. I put him in his place, it's all fine," I swiped by her and went to my trunk. A few of the girls were looking at me and I swallowed.

"Are you going to be okay Harli? You didn't eat at all at dinner and you're awfully pale."

"Yes, Herm, I'm alright. I'm going to bed now, goodnight."

I closed the curtains and cast silencing and protection charms to protect them from my nightmares and unstable magic. I felt bad for blowing Hermione off but I couldn't be bothered with it. I had to try for as much sleep as I could before I started dreaming.

I settled into my bed and stared up at the canopy and sighed. It was going to be a long night.