A/N: So, I have been having writer's block and headaches when I try to think of anything. I realized as I was killing my lungs slowly one night at three in the morning; it is this story. I started this story when I was 16 and fairly stupid. While I would like you to take notice that I thought of this whole story when I was 16 (applaud the smarts) I was very ignorant. It took 10 years and a lot of reading to understand how ignorant. I am not going to be able to shake this feeling until I have completed my mission. (That was instilled in my being when I joined the Marine Corps at the tender age of 18.)

I am rewriting all the chapters that I see fit to do so to. This is only the beginning. Being fueled by pure adrenaline and an unhealthy dose of those energy drinks I am so fond of, I am planning on doing it all today. Or most of it.

If this is your first time reading this story, thank you for joining Henria on this journey. I hope you can find it in yourself to please be patient as I work through this ache that has been building inside of my head and making my life a hell. I am going to make this as painless for everyone except myself as possible, there still maybe a lot of errors. I am rubbish at catching them for myself. It is a curse and I have not found the counter yet. :D

Please do keep enjoying Henria. She is a very big part of me and I love her. If you have any criticism (constructive or otherwise) please do not hesitate to share. I promise that I put my big girl panties on today and you will not hurt my feelings.

Henny, that lucky Penny!

The Brief Introduction

I downed the last of my Rockstar. I took a quick glance around for a trash bin. When my eyes noticed one, I stepped over to and discarded my can. My owl protested with a hoot on my shoulder. He quite obviously did not like the sudden twitch of my shoulder. I stroked his beak to make him calm.

My hazel eyes wandered the station. I saw many kids, both my age and younger, milling around. They all were chatting excitedly about their summer. 'Wish I had someone to chat with.' my thought brought a pang to my heart. I sighed and looked at Denali. His round, black eyes looked back. Understanding was etched in those onyx pools.

"What are you so understanding about?" I murmured softly to him. His reply was a quiet hoot. I smiled and started walking towards the train.

I was dressed as a muggle and my assessment of the platform showed me that I was not the only one. Most parents of children who had arrived by means other than magic were dressed accordingly. I realized my long, chocolate tresses were not out of place. While there was a sea of color, brown was a prominent fixture. My hazel eyes covertly assessed the witches and wizards around me. I did, however, notice that my height was uncommon. If I did not have a bust, I would have been able to mingle with the youngest students present. I felt comfortable in my 5'2" frame, but I was aware how painfully awkward things could turn if someone mistakened me for a third year. I may be a fully trained witch, but I knew my brash personality could be taken the wrong way. I did not usually take well to being looked down upon, even if it would have been out of concern for my lack of appropriate protection.

I had to shoulder my way through kids and parents. Platform nine and three quarters was crowded. Poor Denali started to ruffle his feathers to show he was not happy about being bumped. When we made it to the train, I felt the Rockstar kick in and my core temperature started to rise. My hands were shaking. 'Finally!' I thought with a smile. The train ride was going to be better then I expected.

As I walked down the hall-way, trying to find the compartment specified for me, I noticed that other compartments were filling quite quickly. I had not realized there were so many kids that went to Hogwarts. 'Although,' I thought to myself, 'I should have guessed.'

After finally finding my compartment, I let Denali fly off my shoulder and take a rest on the bench. I dug into my pocket and pulled out, what seemed to be, tiny little boxes. They were my luggage as I had shrunk them before leaving the motel room. I enlarged them and lugged them onto their shelf. As I was sitting down, the door to my compartment slid open and stood facing a tall black boy.

"Oh!" the stranger said, "I'm sorry. I didn't realize this compartment was occupied."

"It's fine." I answered. I sat down and motioned for Denali to rest on his favorite spot. The boy coughed and I looked at him.

"My name is-"

"I don't need to know what your name is." I interrupted. I stroked Denali's beak.

"Oh." he muttered dejectedly, "You aren't from England?" he added after detecting my different accent.

"No." My answers were becoming shorter, I noted to myself. I knew I was being rude.

"Well," he began after a moment of awkward silence, "I best be off. 'Bye."

"Good-bye." I said and he scurried off.

I sighed to myself, again. I had my doubts if Minerva had chosen the right person. She had insisted I do this. I still thought she was out of her mind, but I accepted.

There was a knock on the door. My temper was rising. I was turning from my owl to grumble some choice words when the woman who had pleaded with me to go with this crazy escapade came in. My face broke into a wide grin.

"Minerva!" I greeted warmly. I rose off the bench and embraced the older woman.

"Miss Sownbinder!" she greeted with equal warmth, "I trust the journey has been smooth?"

"Yes, of course." I replied. For the most part, I was not lying.

"Splendid!" she smiled, "Well, I am glad you have been accommodated."

"Thank you." No matter how short I was with people, I always remembered my manners.

"I did tell you about your seating arrangement during the feast, correct?" she asked.

"Yes." My answers were getting short again. 'Did I really have no patience today?'

"Well, I shall let you enjoy the last few moments of peace and quiet alone." she said, catching on to my mood.

"I will see you at dinner, Minerva." I embraced her once more before she exited.

I sat down and felt drained. 'Damn Rockstar ran out.' I sighed once again. 'I'm starting to sound older than seventeen.' I thought as I leaned back. Denali, surprisingly, had not protested during the whole exchange. I patted his head. He understood I was telling him, 'Good boy.'

I must have drifted off because the next thing I knew, the train jerked to a stop. Denali started to fall off my shoulder. To prevent this, he dug his talons into my flesh. I gritted my teeth against the pain. I brought up my hands to steady him. Denali let his death grip go and flew over to the other bench knowing he had hurt me. I was taking deep breaths. My shoulder was throbbing and I could feel droplets of blood running down my arm and chest.

"Let's visit the hospital wing, eh?" I looked at Denali. His black eyes were cautious. I patter my uninjured shoulder. He flew back to me and rested there.

I got up and murmured the shrinking spell on my luggage. I summoned the now small boxes and stuffed them in my pocket. I went into the hallway and found my way off the train. I saw my carriage and saw the skeleton horse. I smiled and the horse turned to me. I patted its head and went inside.

The ride was smooth. I tried to move my shoulder, but that proved too painful. The theastrals were snorting. They could smell the fresh blood. They seemed relieved when I got off at the castle. I entered and made my way to the infirmary.

When I arrived I was feeling slightly dizzy and light-headed. 'I have to concentrate.' I told myself. I opened the door and nearly fell over. 'Great way to concentrate.' I berated myself.

"Madame Pomfry?" I called into the room. It was either very dark or I was loosing my vision. A woman in white came out and saw me.

"Yes?" she inquired suspiciously.

"My owl clawed me. I am loosing a lot of blood." I said calmly, "I feel light-headed and dizzy and I think my vision is fading."

"Oh goodness." she said exasperated, "Come here and sit." she pointed to a bed, "You need to strip down too."

I looked at Denali who knew what I meant. He flew off to the bed and landed on the pillow. I took of my cloak and unbuttoned my shirt. After that was off, I sat on the bed and waited patiently for the nurse to come back.

When Madame Pomfry came back, she had with her bandages and a salve. The bleeding had stopped so I knew I was not in any danger. As she wound the gauze around the wound, I could feel my shoulder relaxing. After she was done, she handed me some more bandages and the salve.

"Thank you." I said.

"If you feel dizzy or it starts to turn green, come immediately to me." she instructed. I nodded and she smiled at me as she turned to leave.

I got off the bed and enlarged one of my trunks. I looked around and found a shirt. I put it on and placed the bloody clothes on top. After I closed the lid, I shrunk the trunk once more and placed it in my jeans pocket.

I made my way to the Great Hall with Denali perched on my uninjured shoulder. He was looking particularly sad and upset.

"Quit your moping." I said to him, "I will be fine. Besides," I added, "you didn't hurt me that bad." Denali hooted softly. I ruffled his glossy, black feathers. He knew I was not mad at him.

When I reached the Great Hall doors, I paused for a moment. I took a deep breath and swung them open. I loved doing that as a child. My house had a pair of double doors. They always made my entrances big and important-like. Just like the double doors did just now.

Everyone stopped their chatter and I saw a couple of forks stop midway to mouths. I walked between the yellow and red tables towards my chair at the teachers' tables. On my way, I stopped to tell Minerva what had happened. She glanced at Denali with a suspicious look.

"He is not dangerous." I stated crossly. Instantaneous whispers resonated throughout the Hall. 'My obvious American accent.' I thought grimly.

Professor McGonagall stood up and the Great Hall went silent. She had earned their respect quickly. Although Albus Dumbledore was loved by many and no one could match his respect, Minerva McGonagall was putting up a pretty good fight.

"Excuse the interruption," she began. Her voice echoing, "I would like to introduce the first and second years' new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Henria Sownbinder."

I gave Minerva a look before I turned, with a big smile, to the students.

"Although, while she has a free period, she will attend classes and be known as Miss Henria Sownbinder. She will be a peer amongst you as well." the Headmistress added.

At that moment, if you dropped a pin, you would have heard it echo.