Author's note-
We are sure you have heard this before but none of the characters in the story belong to us except Felicity Taylor. All of the other's belong to J.K. Rowling. This is our first fanfiction, so it might be a little strange. Please read and review it-any type of review as long as it constructive. That means don't sue and no flames!
~Liz and Meghan
Harry
It was great to be back at Hogwarts. Harry Potter gazed around the Great Hall, taking in the familiar surroundings. Summer with the Dursleys, had once again been torture. The only thing that had kept him from losing his mind was the monthly letters from his godfather, Sirius Black. Sirius had been framed as being a follower of the evil wizard, Lord Voldemont. He had escaped from the wizard jail he was put in a few years earlier. Sirius had been hiding ever since Harry's third year at Hogwarts. He had promised Harry in his last letter that he would try to visit Harry at Hogwarts. They would have to figure out how to clear Sirius's name so that Harry could live with him instead of the dreaded Dursley's.
"Harry!" two familiar voices called.
Harry turned around to see his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. He grinned and started walking toward them.
"Come on! The sorting hat is starting to sing! We're going to miss the whole ceremony! I want to see all the new kids!" yelled Ron.
The Sorting Hat was a singing hat that told you what house you belonged in when you put it on. There were four houses; each named for a great wizard of the time that the Hogwarts was founded. The houses were Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, and Hufflepuff. Harry, Ron, Hermione were all in Gryffindor. After the initiation process and the feast that always followed, the threesome trudged up the many stairs to the Gryffindor common room. Hermione ran ahead and turned around at the entrance.
"OK everyone! My name is Hermione Granger and I am the Gryffindor prefect this year. There is always a password to get into the Common Rooms. This year, the Gryffindor password is Srodniffyrg!" Hermione looked very pleased at herself that she was prefect.
Harry and Ron looked at each other quickly and they both rolled their eyes. The two remembered Ron's older brother, Percy, when he had become a prefect. Percy had become very stuck up. Hermione saw their look and after everyone was in, walked up to them.
"Hey, aren't you glad that I made prefect?" Hermione asked, frowning.
"Hermione, why would you ever ask that? Of course we are happy!" Harry replied quickly, before Ron could say something about Percy. The threesome went inside.
Harry and Ron went to the dorm where the fifth year boy students slept. They put all the stuff that they brought from school into the trunks at the foot of the bed.
"I'm really glad to be back," Harry said with a content sigh.
"Me too. I wonder will happen this year. Last year was boring. The year before that was the whole thing with Sirius Black, and the first two years we were here, you beat Voldemont. I hope something good happens this year!" said Ron.
"I'm sure something will." replied Harry, laughing.
***
Later that night, Harry left the Great Hall after dinner early. He wanted to see if his owl, Hedwig, had a letter for him from Sirius. Harry sat at the largest window in the common room, deep in thought. It wasn't until Hermione came in that he realized how long he had been sitting there.
"Harry, what are you doing?" asked Hermione.
"Uh…Just thinking," said Harry after a long pause. Harry had thought he was all alone and Hermione had startled him. Although he trusted Hermione, he didn't really want anyone knowing about Sirius and all his letters. Hermione, however, saw through him in an instant.
"Harry, I am going up to bed now. Are you sure nothing is wrong? You left dinner pretty early. You can talk to me, you know."
She knows something is up. Boy, is she good! But if I know Hermione like I think I do, she'll just tell me to stop writing to him because I will get in trouble, thought Harry. To Hermione he said, "Nothing is wrong. Don't worry about me. I'll see you in the morning."
"OK." Hermione gave him a questioning look, possibly thinking he might change his mind and tell her, but she gave up and went up the girl's dorm.
When Harry was sure Hermione was gone, he resumed his position at the window. He didn't wait long. Hedwig was already at the window, trying to get in. After opening the window and patting Hedwig, he took the note that she was carrying. It read:
Harry-
I want you to meet me in the Shrieking Shack by Hogsmeade tomorrow night. I understand if you can't make it, as you just started the new year. Send a reply back with Hedwig.
-Padfoot
Harry wrote a reply saying he would meet Sirius at the Shrieking Shack tomorrow night. He gave it to Hedwig, who flew off to where ever Sirius was hiding. He then stuffed Sirius's note in his pocket and got ready for bed. He was asleep in minutes.
Hermione
Hermione couldn't sleep. She was very worried about Harry. He had looked something was bothering him earlier. Plus, he had been quiet all day, which was a very un-Harry like thing for him to do. Hermione rolled over. No matter what Harry said, she knew something was wrong. Hermione hoped it didn't have to do with the dark wizard, Lord Voldemont. Two years ago, he had hunted down Harry and tried to kill him. Thankfully, Harry had beaten him both times. Neither time did he kill Voldemont though. Voldemont had killed Harry's parents fifteen years ago. Harry had escaped the attack at age one. He was the one who had drained Voldemont of his powers and kept him from being more powerful. The only reminder of the attack was a lightening shaped scar on Harry's forehead. He had then been shipped off to his non-magic (known as Muggles to witches and warlocks) aunt and uncle. They had kept the magic of his past a secret and told Harry that his parents died in a car crash. Then 10 years after his parents had been killed; Harry got a letter from Hogwarts. The rest was history. That's besides the point. Hermione told herself. Hermione sighed yet again. Soon, she fell into an uneasy sleep.
The next morning, before she could go down and get breakfast in the Great Hall, her favorite teacher called her to her office. Professor McGongall taught Transfiguration, which Hermione happened to be very good in. Hermione wondered what Professor McGonagall wanted with her this time.
"Ah, Hermione. You are here right on time. Since you are the perfect for Gryffindor I have a little…assignment for you. You know how many transfer students we accept here. That's right two a year. Well, it so happens that one of the two transfer students is going to be in Gryffindor. She is also a fifth year, like you. I have taken the liberty to put her in your dorm and given her the same schedule as you also. Her name is Felicity Taylor and she has transferred here from Florida, in the United Stated of America." Professor McGongall explained.
Hermione was worried and excited. A new girl at Hogwarts? What if she was totally unlike Hermione and really mean or weird or she was just annoying? Hermione was stuck with this girl for the rest of her fifth year! But then, what if she was just like Hermione and they became best friends? The girl appeared suddenly, out of the shadows of the office. Hermione gulped, praying the girl would be normal. Hermione took one look at the girl and realized that she was nothing like her. Great. Hermione thought, Now what?!
Ron
Felicity Taylor. What a perfect name and such a perfect girl! Hermione had brought her down to the Great Hall for breakfast, looking as if she had been poisoned. Hermione had quickly introduced Felicity to the rest of Hogwarts and sank down beside Harry.
"Can you believe her? Where does she get the nerve? I can't believe she has the same schedule as us!" Hermione complained to Harry and Ron. However, Ron wasn't listening to Hermione that morning. He was much more interested in Felicity.
The rest of the day went like this. Everyone wanted to know who Felicity was and where she came from. Hermione was being completely ignored. Ron didn't even notice. He though Hermione was overreacting. Felicity was really pretty and totally different than anyone else at Hogwarts.
Late that night, when Ron was in bed, he thought about nothing but Felicity. She was from Florida in the United States and had a slight southern accent. Felicity, or Lissy as everyone called her, had long blond hair, bright green eyes, and a large smile that showed her perfectly white teeth. She was also very tan, which was unlike anyone else at Hogwarts. Lissy also wore makeup and had very different clothes than anyone else. But the best part was she was a Gryffindor and a fifth year too. Hermione was to show her around, which meant that Hermione and Lissy had the same schedule. Ron was really happy that he and Harry had the same schedule as Hermione! Now, he had all his classes with Lissy too. Except, Lissy seemed to like Harry and paid a lot of attention to Harry, like most of the other girls in Gryffindor. Harry didn't seem to mind the attention at all! It seemed to Ron that Harry liked Lissy back. Ron sat up in his bed trying not to think about Lissy and Harry together.
Hermione didn't appear to like Lissy so much. In fact, it seemed like she hated her. Ron would have thought that Hermione would be happy to have another girl to hang out with. And someone as different as Lissy! But Hermione really appeared to have something against Lissy. Ron walked to the window and looked out. Where was Harry? He wasn't in his bed. Ron was starting to get worried when Harry tiptoed into the room with his Invisibility Cloak on.
"Ron! What are you doing up? It's three in the morning!" Harry exclaimed.
"I think I should be asking you that! What were you doing with that on?"
"Just went out to get some fresh air," replied Harry, quickly supplying an excuse. He couldn't tell anyone about his meeting with Sirius, even though he hated lying to Ron.
Ron just yawned; he'd talk to Harry tomorrow, and got into bed. He fell asleep immediately.
Harry
Harry soon followed Ron's lead, falling into a deep sleep. Harry was zooming around the Quidditch field on his Firebolt. He was searching for the golden snitch, which would earn his team 150 points and the game. If his team, Gryffindor, won the game they would win the Quidditch Cup. Gryffindor had won the past two years and would love to win again.
There it was! The snitch was right by the opponents, Ravenclaw, goal. Harry raced over to the snitch and caught it before the Ravenclaw seeker could. Before he could get to the ground his team was all over him, laughing and crying. Someone yelled, 'Party in Gryffindor Common Room!' Immediately, the fans and team disappeared and Harry was alone. Then, two figures formed and Harry realized it was his parents.
Lily and James Potter stood there a minute before James spoke. "Godric's Hollow. Harry, our house, your old house, look for it. For Sirius. Harry…we love you son." Lily smiled sadly and departed with James.
Harry awoke drenched in a cold sweat. It took him a while to realize he was in Hogwarts. Harry reached for his wand, muttered 'Lumos' and looked around. Harry was the only one awake. He sighed and turned over. Harry tried to go back to sleep but the taunting visions of his dream kept returning. What did they mean? Harry fell asleep again, asking himself that question over and over.
Hermione
Gryffindor was winning 60-40 against Hufflepuff. Hermione looked up and saw Harry searching the sky intently for the Snitch. Come on Harry! I know you can do it! thought Hermione. Lissy, who was sitting next to Hermione, looked like she was going to burst with excitement. It was her first Quidditch game, although she went with Hermione to watch the practices. Suddenly, Ron made a spectacular save in the goal and the crown went wild. To top this off, many people saw Harry dive and come up out of the dive triumphant. He had caught the snitch, winning Gryffindor's first game of the season.
"Come on Lis-" Hermione started to say, only to see that Lissy was halfway to the field already. Hermione gritted her teeth and ran down the bleachers towards the Gryffindor team. Of course, thought Hermione when she couldn't see Lissy through the crowd. Find Harry and you will find Lissy. Hermione was right and that didn't help her already bad mood. Lissy was hanging all over Harry, laughing and congratulating him. Harry quickly glanced at Hermione, who tried to say good job. But she couldn't get the words out before Harry was whisked away by Lissy somewhere.
Hermione walked dejectedly back to the Gryffindor Common Room where the party was in progress. She spotted Ron by the fire and sat next to him.
"What's wrong?" was the first thing Ron said to her.
"Everything! But mostly Harry." Hermione blurted out before thinking.
"What do you mean?' Ron said.
"He's been so secretive ever since he got back from the summer break. Like he has something to tell but can't. It's really annoying and Lissy isn't helping. She is always with him and I never can find time to talk to him alone! I wish she would just leave!" Hermione said angrily.
"Yeah, I know what you mean. I've caught Harry sneaking around with the Invisibility Cloak on and he has been using the Marauder's Map a lot lately. I don't know what is up!" Ron agreed.
"We should talk to him tomorrow when Lissy isn't around." Hermione said. Ron just nodded.
"I'm going up to my dorm now. See you tomorrow Ron." Hermione added.
Lissy barged in to the girl's dorm room an hour and a half later, her face flushed with excitement.
"Oh my god!" she exclaimed. "Harry Potter is such a babe!"
"What is a babe?" asked Lavender Brown, one of the girls roommates.
"You don't know what a babe is? Well, he's a hottie, you know, a hunk. Um, don't you understand what I am saying? HE IS GORGEOUS!" Lissy shouted.
"Oh, I get it. You think Harry is cute. Well, it's you and the rest of the girls at Hogwarts! Anyway, why didn't you just say that he was cute?" asked Lavender.
"I did! You guys just like totally don't understand. It's so funny how I am talking in plain English and you all don't get it. That is how everyone in Florida speaks!" Lissy was laughing hysterically by now.
Hermione, on the other hand, was seething. How dare she like Harry? And did Harry really like that annoying thing from Florida back? Hermione pulled the curtains closed on her bed and tried to get to sleep. After a lot of tossing and turning, she managed to fall into a light, uneasy sleep.
Harry
Lissy was nice and fun and beautiful and talented and had the cutest accent with all these funny words, but she wasn't Ron and definitely not Hermione. Harry missed them. The two days Lissy had been here, she had been with Harry practically the whole time. Harry barely got time to himself and he really longed for it.
Harry glanced down at his watch, tired of doing his homework. It was 11 o'clock! Harry looked over at Lissy, who had fallen asleep next to him on the couch in the Gryffindor common room.
"Lissy, Lissy wake up. It's eleven. Lights out was an hour ago. If Professor McGonagall finds us, we have a detention. Even if we were doing homework." Harry said urgently while shaking Lissy.
"Oh! Sorry, I am like dead tired and I must have crashed. I better go to bed. Night." Lissy said and smiled her brightest smile and ran to bed. Harry ran into his bed and grabbed his Invisibility Cloak and the map. He was really careful not to wake up anyone. He slipped out the Gryffindor Common Room, past the entrance, and up to the headless statute. Checking to make sure no one was around (no one was) he pushed the stature aside and dropped into the hole in the floor. He slid down the long slide and fell into the Shrieking Shack.
"There you are! I was wondering what kept you!" Sirius said with a laugh and a grin. He looked a lot healthier than he had when Harry had first seen him two years ago. His black hair was on the long side from hiding out for so long. He walked over to Harry and gave him a big hug.
"Sorry, Lissy fell asleep on my shoulder when we were doing our homework." Harry said after a minute.
"Lissy? The new girl you told me about? She fell asleep on your shoulder? Wow, Harry, a girlfriend!" teased Sirius.
"No, no. She is really pretty and nice and all but I don't know. Anyway, I think I found a way to clear your name. We'll use the map you and my dad and Lupin and Peter made. It'll show my old house and we can take the path and look for evidence that your are innocent. I had a dream last night and my mom and dad told me to do this in it." Harry said blushing, obviously thinking about Lissy.
"We can do it. Your mom and dad installed the way to your house from Hogwarts when you were born, just in case something happened with Voldemont. I'll say the word, you take the map and go to your house and look for clues. If you aren't back within an hour and a half, I'm coming after you." Sirius said.
He tapped the map, said Poatherous, and a path the led to Harry's house he had lived in over 14 years ago showed up. Harry nodded, gulped and took the map.
An hour later, he returned with his face flushed. He had a pile of cloth covered books in his hands.
"What are those? Oh, wait I have seen them many times. Those are Lily's diaries. She trusted her soul with them. She hid them, didn't she? I knew something was missing when they cleaned the house out." Sirius said, with tears in his eyes. He clearly missed Lily and James.
"I have to go now, it's two in the morning. If anyone sees me, I'm dead!" Harry said, not wanting to see his godfather cry. Harry took the passage back up to the castle and slipped back to the Gryffindor common room, and into his room.
Author's note # 2-
OK, there you have it! That is part one of the story that is definitely going to be long. Part two will be out sometime next week, hopefully. There will be some stuff on the diaries and a twist included with them. We hope you liked it!
~Liz and Meghan