Harry had he is head rested against the window of the Hogwarts express, looking out into the clear blue sky. Hermione sat opposite him cross-legged on her seat with the daily prophet in her hands, her eyes moved left to right as she read the page. She'd grown up quite a lot since Harry last saw her; she seamed to have gotten taller aswel. Her busy hair was now in elegant ringlets, her posture was more firm aswel, even though she still had all the same heavy books in her bag. Ron sat on the other side of Hermione, had also grown taller, he was sat eating a box of berty bots every flavoured beans, his flaming red hair was untidy but in a cool a way, he seemed more relaxed, more mature. Maybe it was because they were all in their last year at Hogwarts; they seemed to have grown up so much more. Harry looked back at when he first started Hogwarts, He saw the first years now and they were so small. Had he and Ron been like that? Harry lifted his head off the window and grabbed a chocolate frog from the seat next to him and began to munch on it.
"Anything interesting in there?" he asked Hermione gesturing towards the Daily Prophet.
"No" she replied from behind the paper. "Just something about illegal flying carpets." She folded the paper up and rested it on her knee. There was shouts and laughter coming from out in the corridor. Ron got up from his seat and opened the compartment door.
"There's loads of people outside a compartment" He said to Hermione and Harry, they came out into the corridor and headed down to the end of the train to the crowd of students. A second year moved out of the way so they could see. Neville had his wand out and he was pointing at something on the floor, a brown mouse.
"That'll teach you not to disrespect my parents" he shouted at it. "I told you I'd get you back Malfoy." Harry Ron and Hermione roared with laughter. Neville had told Harry when he saw him at the train station that now he was of age that he'd been practicing transfiguration over the holidays and is rather good at it now. Obviously he was no rather good at standing up for him self. Neville turned around to face Harry Ron and Hermione beaming.
"Watch this Neville" Ron said. He picked the mouse up by its tail and opened the corridor window, He dangled the mouse out of it and it began to squeak madly. Everyone howled with laughter. Ron put the mouse back on the floor and Neville transformed it back again. Harry was laughing so hard he had to use Hermione as a support.
Malfoy scrambled back up looking shaken and streaked back to his compartment. Laughing Harry Ron and Hermione went back to their compartment.
"Well, this has a been an interesting train ride" Ron said
"Better than the last ones" Hermione agreed. "But the one I remember the most is our first train ride to Hogwarts, were we all met for the first time."
"It's a good thing we did meet" Harry said. "I could have been best mates with Malfoy". He shudder, the thought of being friends with Malfoy was too scary to think about it.
"Yeah and I sat in your compartment Harry because the others were full" Ron said. "Then you came in" –he pointed at Hermione- "looking for Neville's toad"
"Oh yeah I remember that" She said. "Just think what would have happened if we had never met each other on the train?" Hermione's words put all of them into deep thought.
Five minutes later Neville opened their compartment door
"Hey guys" He said he sat down in the empty seat next to Harry
"That was brilliant they way you turned Malfoy into a mouse" Ron said "When did you learn how to do that"
Neville and Harry looked at each other and grinned. Neville explained to Ron and Hermione how that now he was of age he practiced his Transfiguration at home first on little things then got bigger until he could turn his cousin into a possum. Hermione and Ron sat and listened excitedly. He told them all about gaining his confidence back aswel. When he has finished it was getting dark.
"Well" Neville said getting up. "I'd better go back to my compartment, Luna will wonder where I am". He stepped out into the corridor and vanished. Harry and the others changed into their robes. Hermione clipped her Head girl badge to the front of her robes where it glinted in the light, just then Draco opened their compartment door, his shiny new Head boy badge on the front of his robes. Hermione let out a quiet grown.
"Don't grown at me Mudblood, I'm not happy about it either" Malfoy snapped.
Harry and Ron both stood up.
"Get out" Harry said firmly
Malfoy sneered at them then turned to Hermione.
"See you at duties Granger" He huffed and he slammed the compartment door shut.
"As soon as I found out you two didn't get the badge I new it must be Draco" said Hermione.
Soon the train began to slow down and Harry Ron and Hermione collected their things and stepped out onto the platform. Harry could hear the familiar sound of Hagrid calling the first years.
"firs' years over 'ere" Hagrid said holding a lantern in one hand. "'Ello Harry Ron and Hermione. The waved at Hagrid at continued up the winding path to the carriages with the rest of the students. They found an empty carriage and it set off up to the Hogwarts castle. The castle's lights twinkled, its towers rose high into the starry sky and its grounds where lit up by the bright moon. They stowed their baggage and cages in the entrance hall with the others and joined the crowed milling into the great hall. Once again it was lit up as all ways with floating candles. They automatically looked up the ceiling to see the beautiful deep blue winking sky.
Seamus and Dean where sat half way down the Gryffindor table they waved at Harry Ron and Hermione sat down opposite Ginny.
The rabble in the great hall grew louder until the doors to the great hall opened and Professor McGonagall marched through with nervous looking first year's walks behind her. Harry was startled to see how small they were.
McGonagall placed the sorting hat and a stool in front of the staff table.
"When I call your name out please step up and put the sorting hat on" she said. "Then you will be sorted into a house. "She unrolled the parchment she had in her hand. "Adams, Kirk".
A brown haired young boy broke from the rest of the group and sat on the stool with the sorting hat drooping over his eyes. A moment passed until-
"RAVENCLAW"
Kirk Adams took the hat off and went to sit with the Ravenclaw's, a look of relief in his face.
"Alt, Rose"
A trembling girl with black hair sat down on the stool with the hat on her head
"SLYTHERIN"
Harry looked over to the Slytherin table as Rose Alt sat down. Pansy Parkinson immediately engaged her in conversation. Lola Carriage was the first Gryffindor and Harry clapped loudly with the rest of the Gryffindor. Harry's stomach was staring to grumble and he longed for some treacle tart. Laura Ferrin was sorted in to Hufflepuff and Adam Garbutt was sorted into Slythrin. Jessica Hargreaves was sorted in to Hufflepuff but her twin Joanna was sorted in the Ravenclaw. Fiona Liza was sorted into Slytherin. Soon the line on first years thinned. McGonagall had got people with the last name "O" then "T" then "W" and finally Hannah Zane was sorted into hufflepuff. Dumbledore suddenly stood up and beckoned Professor McGonagall forward. They had a whispered conversation, and then Dumbledore straightened up and looked at the students in the Great Hall.
"I believe we seem to have a late comer" He eyes seemed to flicker towards the Slytherin table somewhere near Malfoy. "She will be arriving soon I hope but till-"
He broke off as the doors opened once more. A pretty first year girl with jet black hair and green eyes was being escorted by none other that Lucias Malfoy. He had his hand round the girl's upper arm and by the pain in the girls face he had a tight grip. Harry tuned to Malfoy who had risen from his seat and he looked upon his father in horror.
Lucias marched straight up to Dumbledore and McGonagall.
"Here take her" He said has he thrust the girl at McGonagall. "She is no daughter of mine" Harry's jaw dropped, he turned to look at Ron and Hermione they were wearing the same face has Harry. Whispers and murmurs filled the great hall as Lucias marched out of the great hall slamming the doors behind him. An awkward silence met Harry's ears. How could this girl be Draco's sister, for one she didn't have blonde hair? He face was prettier and fuller so unlike Draco's pale and pointed face. And Harry bet that when she spoke it was not drawling.
"Well" said McGonagall still clutching Malfoy's sister. "Let's get you sorted" She led the girl to the stool and put the hat on her head. The hat took a long while to consider what house to put her in but then-
"GRYFFINDOR" Harry clapped along but not everyone did. All around the hall confused faces stared at the Gryffindor table. The girl sat down next to Hermione who was next to Harry.
Dumbledore spoke again. "Hermione you are head girl I would like you to take care of Miss Malfoy"
Hermione nodded and turned herself to Draco's sister and smiled. She smiled back
"And now" Dumbledore said "Let us eat" Food magically appeared on the plates in front of them and Harry began to dish mash and sausages onto his plate. Hermione was introducing herself to Draco's sister." I'm Hermione Granger, as Dumbledore said, and I'm head girl here at Hogwarts and what's your name?
"Sapphire" The girl said "Sapphire Malfoy, Draco is always talking about you at home" Hermione looked slightly taken back. "But it's not nice stuff" Sapphire continued.
"I should have known" Hermione muttered. "Your dad was so mean to you back then"
"He always is" Sapphire said though she sounded not in the least bit bothered. "Well all my family are actually, they kind of hate me"
Hermione gasped
"But why" She said
"Because I gave Dumbledore information about voldermort and about his plans and things, my family did not like that so they disowned me" Sapphire helped her self to more carrots and began to eat them
Hermione was in shock
"But – you have no-family – no where to live" She said
"Well Dumbledore spoke to me and I'm going to live with my relative Sirius Black"
Harry dropped his knife and fork with a clatter and Hermione and Sapphire looked around.
"Oh where are my manners" Hermione said "Sapphire this is Harry, Harry Potter."
"Hi, nice to meet you" Sapphire smiled but her eyes did not flicker towards his scar nor did she goggle at him but shook his hand politely instead. Harry was a bit startled that she hadn't stared at his scar or asked him awkward questions. Sapphire seemed to have read his mind.
"Look I'm not going to stare at you scar like your some sort of freak Harry" She said "You have enough to cope than for another person to stare at your forehead."
Harry grinned
"Thanks" He said. "I can't believe you going to live with Sirius Black"
"Why? Do you know him?" Sapphire asked curiously
"Yeah he's my godfather" Harry replied
"Wow it's a small world" Sapphire said
"Hey" said Hermione "I've just noticed you too look really a like each other" Harry and Sapphire stared at her. "Well you both have green eyes and jet black hair and you are both related to Sirius weird huh?
Now that Hermione had mentioned it sapphire did look a lot like me thought Harry.
Harry turned to Ron to ask him what he thought about sapphire but he wasn't there.
"Where's Ron?" He asked Ginny opposite him.
"He moved next to Seamus and Dean because you apparently you were leaving him out of the conversation" She said "He's just being moody Harry take no notice of him."
"He could have entered the conversation anytime he wanted" Harry angrily. "I wasn't trying to leave him out."
Ginny patted his hand "I know Harry"
Soon all the plates were wiped clean and Dumbledore got to his feet
"Now that you are all well fed I would like to welcome back Professor Lupin as our defence against the dark arts teacher" The Great Hall cheered and clapped loudly especially the Gryffindor table. Dumbledore smiled and clapped with the rest of the school as Lupin stood up. Harry hadn't noticed him sitting there. Dumbledore continued.
"Filch has asked me to remind you all no magic in the corridors between classes and that the forbidden forest is strictly out of bounds and now it is time we all went to bed as we all classes first thing in the morning." The benches moved backwards and students began to head for their comment room.
"Harry can you take sapphire to the common room, the password is hippogriff" Hermione said" I have to show the other first years the school."
"Come on then" Harry said to sapphire and they started to file out of the great hall. As they did so Harry saw students point and whisper at Sapphire.
That's not what she needs right now thought Harry her first day and people are already goggling at her.
Sapphire noticed them pointing at her and she looked up at Harry
"So this is what it's like for you" She said "People talking about you behind your back
"You're lucky" Harry assured her "You've got it good, I've had worse" Harry told Sapphire about when he was in his first year when him and Hermione got loads of points taken off them for being out in the corridor at night. The hole school hated them.
"How awful" She said "What did you do?"
"Well it kind of died down really and they all forgot" He said "Then I saved the philosopher stone from voldermort so everyone forgave me
"My father was furious about that actually" Sapphire laughed but then it suddenly faded. Malfoy was at the bottom of the entrance hall stairs with Pansy Parkinson.
The last thing Sapphire needed was an argument with the brother that hates her.
"I thought father said you weren't aloud to go to Hogwarts" Draco spat
"Well you thought wrong then" Sapphire said coolly
"He won't let you back you know" Draco said" You'll have to live on the street".
Sapphire laugh
"I know you're stupid Draco but I didn't think you were that stupid" She said "Do you really think that Dumbledore would just leave me".
"Well who wouldn't you filthy blood traitor-"
"Shut up Malfoy" Harry said fiercely
Draco glared at Harry then turned to sapphire
"Don't tell me you've befriend scar face?" He spat "Now you're going to tell me you're friends with Mudblood granger"
"Don't call her that" Sapphire said quietly Harry took sapphire's shoulder
"Come on lets go" He pushed past Draco and Pansy and led Sapphire for 5 until they came to the portrait of the fat lady. "What was the password again … oh yeah hippogriff" They clambered through the portrait hole and into the common room. The fire was lit but most of the Gryffindors had gone to bed. Hermione was sat in one their favourite squishy chairs in front of the fire. Once she spotted them she jumped up.
"Where have you been? What took you so long? She asked
"We met Malfoy" Harry said as he and sapphire sank into a chair
"What happened?"
"He just threatened me and loathed me" Sapphire said "The usual"
"Well I think we should get to bed" Hermione said bossily. "It's your first day of classes tomorrow, come on I'll show you to your dorm". They bade goodnight to Harry and disappeared up the stairs to the girls dormitories. Harry trudged up to his own dorm to find Ron sat on his bed
"Hey" Harry said. Ron didn't say anything "Where did you go I've been looking everywhere for you."
"Well you were to busy with Sapphire" Ron said. He got up off his bed.
"Well if your dad had just disowned you, you'd want some comfort" Harry retorted putting his wand on his bedside table and going to open his trunk.
"Yeah but she had Hermione to do that, you didn't have to get involved with" Ron argued
"She said she was going to live with Sirius"
Silence rang through the dormitory. Harry was getting angry with Ron, why was Ron getting so worked up over nothing.
"Oh" Ron said
"Yeah so maybe you should think before you jump to conclusions" Harry didn't mean to say this and as soon as he said it Ron fired up again.
"I've got a conclusion for you" Ron snarled. "She's Malfoy's daughter and that this is just a little plan of Draco's. This is all a lie."
"You think that Sapphire would make this stuff up?" Harry said angrily
"Yeah"
"Well you do not know Sapphire very well then" Harry raged
"Neither do you" Ron shouted "Because it's all a lie"
"Ron you were not their when we met Draco in the entrance hall" Harry said "He hated her. He hates her like he hates us. His attitude is the same when he speaks to sapphire and us."
"What ever Harry" Ron shot at him. Ron got into his pyjamas and got into bed and pulled the hangings around him. Just then Seamus Dean and Neville came through the door laughing and talking. Harry undressed at top speed and got into bed and drew the hangings around his bed. He was furious at Ron, how could he be so stupid. Getting angry like that, that was bang out of order. Harry lay awake for ages; to angry to sleep until around 2 o'clock he drifted to sleep