A/N: Things to know about this story while reading…
Sirius and Dumbledore are both ALIVE which means that certain events in book 5 and obviously book 6 have not and will not occur.
There will be some PG-13 girl on girl…don't freak it's not going to be that bad.
It's been awhile since I've written anything, especially fan-fiction, so creative criticism would be very nice.
DISCLAIMER: Philomena is the only thing that I own. The loverly J.K. Rowling owns all things Harry Potter.
Chapter 1: New Beginnings
It was the end of summer for the students attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. All the acceptance and school supply letters had been mailed and received. The trips to Diagon Alley for books, cauldrons, robes, and wands had been completed. Trunks and pets had been packed up with care and before they knew it, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley stood on platform 9 ¾ waiting for one Hermione Granger who happened to be uncharacteristically late.
"What the hell could be taking her so bloody long; it's not as if this is her first time making it to the platform. We are sixth years now!" Ron bellowed to no one in particular.
"Ronald Weasley, watch your language," chided Ms. Weasley who was congratulating Ginny on her current choice of boyfriend. Harry moved closer and took Ginny's hand in his. He had already talked to Ron about it weeks before while he was staying at the Burrow, fearing that he would not be happy with him dating his one and only little sister. To the contrary, however, Ron jumped at the idea saying it was about time he figured it out and that now all he had to do was ask Ginny. Harry had just now gotten up the courage to ask her to be his girlfriend and she having never really gotten over her crush on Harry said that she would.
More quietly and directly to Harry, Ron whispered, "And a bit too old to be getting yelled at for the using the word 'bloody'. There won't be an empty compartment left at this rate." Nudging Harry in the ribs, he added, "I told you she'd say yes."
Harry laughed and nodded his head in agreement when a sudden flash of familiar brown hair appeared through the barrier. Hermione Granger had just run through with her parents trailing behind her all thoroughly looking, well Harry had to think for the right word to describe the scene before him and 'happy' definitely wasn't it. Mr. and Mrs. Granger looked confused and hurt and Hermione looked, pleased but uncomfortable. Never in the past years of knowing the Grangers had he ever seen them looking so off. Hermione waved at them and turned towards her parents, gave them each a quick smile and one of the stiffest hugs ever, said goodbye and then walked towards where Harry and Ron were waiting with Ginny and Mrs. Weasley.
"You guys have no idea how happy I am to see you!" Hermione exclaimed before wrapping both Harry and Ron into bear hugs as well as Ginny and Mrs. Weasley.
"Hermione, dear, is everything alright with you and your parents. You all seemed a bit tense," Mrs. Weasley asked as soon as Hermione released her grip on the woman.
Harry added, "Yeah, I don't think I've ever seen a goodbye like that before," pausing to think he revised his previous statement by saying, "I take that back. I've never seen your family give a goodbye like that."
Hermione paused for a moment glancing back to see if her parents were still there—they weren't. She sighed and relaxed immediately, "We are fine we just had a bit of deep discussion and from that came an argument and we all decided to put on a "happy" face for the time being and agree to disagree."
They all looked at her blankly, obviously wanting more of an explanation but she just shook her head and moved towards the train, "Come on guys, we'll have to share a compartment if we don't hurry onto the train. I'll explain it later; I just don't feel like talking about it right now. It was nice to see you again Mrs. Weasley."
Mrs. Weasley just wrapped her up into another hug, told them to behave themselves and with a loud pop she disapparated from the platform. Looking between Ginny and Harry, she noticed that they were holding hands and just grinned at them both as if to say, "It's about time!" The four friends ran into the first door they reached on the train and began searching all the compartments hoping to find one empty or at least somewhat empty. They had almost reached the front cab where all the professors who didn't stay at the school over break sat, when they noticed an empty compartment.
"Jackpot!" yelled Harry.
Ron just looked confused and Hermione explained, "It's a Muggle thing. There's a gambling machine with a handle and three spinning reels. You put coins in, pull the handle, and the reels spin. If you match the reels, then you win money. The highest match is three sevens and that is called a jackpot."
"Sounds like fun," said Ron.
"Yeah it is until you lose all your money playing the same machine and the second you get up some old lady sits down and gets a jackpot," Harry said with a laugh.
"Let me guess, something that happened to your aunt?" asked Ginny.
"Nope, Uncle Vernon, he came home from the Casino, that's the place where the machines and other gambling games are, completely purple he was so mad. I actually thought he might explode!"
With that, all four burst into laughter that lasted about five minutes due to the wonderful mental image they all got of Vernon Dursley completely purple in the face, stamping his feet like a child in a temper tantrum, yelling about little old ladies stealing his money. As the last of their laughter died down, the train's whistle blew signaling its departure from the station. The train lurched slowly forward and they began to settle in for the long ride to Hogwarts when there was a knock on their compartment door and it slowly opened. A girl about their age poked her head in and took notice of all those in the compartment. She was a short girl, with a small frame and curvy figure. Her face was somewhat tan and oval with large eyes and a small upturned nose and her lips were small and rosy pink and formed a perfect pout. Her dark brown curly hair almost rivaled Hermione's and her sapphire blue eyes almost rivaled Harry's emerald green one's in brightness.
"Would you all happen to be Gryffindors?" she asked nervously.
Harry was the first to respond, "Yes, actually we are. Why do you ask?"
"Well, this is my first time on this train and I actually don't know anyone on it. I was knocking on compartments to see if anyone would let me sit with them and the last one I knocked on the guy told me to 'look for some Gryffindors to take you in, but leave us the hell alone'."
"You must have run into some of the Slytherins, pay them no mind…" Hermione trailed off.
"Oh! I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself. My name is Philomena McKellen but everyone calls me Mena. I'm a transfer student from Magus-Agnitio Academy. Do you mind if I sit in here with you?" She smiled and showed off a perfect set of straight, white teeth.
At the mention of the academy, Hermione's interest perked, "The Magus-Agnitio Academy?"
"Yes, you've heard of it? That's surprising considering it's all the way across the pond in the United States."
"Our Hermione here reads a lot so it's not all that surprising to us. By the way, my name's Ron Weasley," he stuck out his hand to shake hers.
Moving to shake Philomena's hand as well, "For once Ron's manners were better than mine. I'm Hermione Granger."
"Yeah, don't get used to it though. He'll be shoveling food into his mouth and talking at the same time at the sorting feast. I'm Ginny, his little sister," removing her hand from Harry's she shook Philomena's.
"Unfortunately that's all true, I'm Harry Potter," he shook her hand and laughed as Ron shot him a hurt look and stuck out his tongue.
"Oh, wow, the Harry Potter! Sorry, you must get that a lot. I read about you in my History of Magic class last year. Actually, you're the reason I'm here." Judging the looks on everyone faces and the fact that they all seemed to tense up she quickly explained, "Relax guys, I'm not here to kill Harry. My family used to live in London when Voldemort was in power. They moved to America when my mother found out she was pregnant with me because they feared raising me in London. They didn't believe that Voldemort could be defeated. Guess you proved them wrong," she laughed.
"You moved all the way back here to help with the war?" Hermione wondered aloud seeing that as the only other reason besides trying to kill Harry for moving back to London.
"Yes, we get an American version of your magical paper and I read that Voldemort had returned and that you and several students fought him and his followers in the London Ministry of Magic office. I was so upset that he was back that I couldn't sleep or eat and then that anger turned into determination. I thought if you guys could fight against him, so could I, so should I."
"Must you say his name?" Ron asked weakly.
Together both Philomena and Hermione said, "Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself." They looked at each other laughing and Hermione blushed ever so slightly.
"Not you too, I'm going to be surrounded by people who say it aren't I?" Ron asked looking upwards at the sky as if asking the gods.
"Yes, probably, I think it might be time for you to grow up Ickle Ronnikins," teased Ginny.
Ron rolled his eyes and said, "Hey, just cuz you're dating my best mate doesn't mean that you can call me by that awful nickname. I'm still older and you should respect your elders." With that, the compartment burst into laughter for the second time, Philomena included. Ron tried to shout over his friends' laughter, "I can't catch a break, can I?" Hermione leaned over and patted him on the head, "Aw you'll live."
The laughter and chatting lasted the whole ride to Hogwarts Philomena becoming well acquainted with the others and vice versa. They had found out that Philomena's parents were both magical and doctors, her father a plastic surgeon and her mother a pediatrician. Her family lineage was mostly pureblooded; however, her family was much like that of the Weasleys. There was no emphasis on marrying pureblood it just happened that way and they were by no means prejudiced against those who were not pureblood. Going so far as to say most pureblood families are like that in the US. She had five-year-old, twin brothers named Sam and Dan and could play many Muggle sports as well as Quidditch. They had learned that while there were several wizarding schools in the United States, Magus-Agnitio Academy was the most prestigious and located in Connecticut not more than an hour away from her home. The Hogwarts students then told her about some of the things that they had come to love and loathe about the school. They told her about the four houses and their heads as well as their half-giant friend Hagrid. They told her about their friends and enemies putting emphasis on Draco Malfoy. Then they told her what to expect when she stepped off the train.
"I would imagine you would go in the boats with the first years since you'll need to be sorted into a house," Hermione stated.
"Oh I hope not. I'm going to look weird standing with all those little kids," Philomena groaned.
"Maybe Hagrid will know. He'll be on the platform directing the first years. We should ask him before we get a carriage and then if you won't be with them you can come with us," Ginny offered.
"I like that idea," Philomena said right as the train began to slow down, "Perfect timing."
They all gathered up their belongings and made their way out of the compartment laughing about this and that when someone called out from one of the compartments they just passed.
"Well, well Potter seems you've added another one to your rank of Gryffindorks," Draco Malfoy sneered at them as Goyle and Crabbe grunted in amusement.
"And I was thinking that I would be lucky enough not to see you until after the feast, so much for that," Harry sighed and continued walking towards the door.
"I wasn't done with you yet, Potter," Draco spat out before he was interrupted by Philomena.
"Well we are all done with you, you snotty little prick. I've just met you and I'm already utterly bored, find someone else to bother or better yet go screw yourself."
Malfoy didn't know what to do, so he just stared with his mouth open at Philomena. People didn't usually talk to him that way, well people who weren't the Gryffindor Golden Trio. Who was this mystery girl and who did she think she was talking to him like that? Patting Philomena on the back and laughing the Gryffindors made their way off the train and searched out Hagrid.
"That was brilliant! You so better be in Gryffindor," Ginny exclaimed.
"I mean really, did you see Malfoy's face. I don't think anyone successfully shut him up so good," Harry mentioned.
"Actually, I think Hermione's still got you beat Mena," said Ron his face bright red to the tips of his ears with amusement.
"Well, I am the only one of us that has actually laid hands on him."
"What?" asked Philomena and Ginny simultaneously.
Harry began laughing hysterically at the same time as Ron and Hermione did but managed to choke out between laughs, "She punched the crap out of him back in our third year! I had almost forgotten about that! Good times, good times."
They were all still laughing when a loud bellowing voice called out over the students, "Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, it's good to have you back."
"Hello Hagrid, it's good to be back," said Harry as we went for his turn to hug the 8-foot tall man before them.
"An' who might this be?" Hagrid asked gesturing to Philomena.
"I'm Philomena McKellen; I was actually hoping you could tell me that I wouldn't have to be on the boats with the first years."
Hagrid chuckled heartily and said, "No, you can ride in the carriages up to the school. The Headmaster, Professor Dumbledore will be waiting for you there." Then noticing some of the first years looking completely lost excused himself to handle his duties. Philomena was happy that could ride in the carriages until she noticed what they were being pulled by.
"What kind of magical breed of horse is that?" she asked somewhat disgusted.
"You can see them too?" Harry asked surprised.
"Yeah can't you guys see them?"
"No, only Harry can," Ron replied.
"Oh, why's that? What are they?"
"They're called thestrals. You can only see them if you've seen someone die," Hermione explained calmly and chanced a look at Harry whose mood seemed to darken immediately.
"Oh, that's depressing," Philomena gasped and following Hermione's eye line decided, "how about a nice change of subject? So what do they usually serve at these feasts?" As soon as the question left her mouth, Ron began listing off all the delicious goodies that would be waiting for them after the sorting ceremony, which of course led to him complaining about how long the sorting ceremony usually took. It was about a ten-minute ride to the front door of Hogwarts and the entire time Philomena was staring out the carriage window taking in all that she could see. The land was beautiful, a forest lined the grounds and there was a large lake off to the side, and the castle! Sure, her school was beautiful, lots of grounds and fields, large red brick, white trimmed buildings. Nevertheless, this castle was unlike anything she had ever seen. She stared up at it in awe as she stepped out of the carriage.
"Don't have these in the US, Mena?" Ron asked.
"No, not at all, the closest thing we have are the cathedrals and most of them couldn't hold a candle to this." Philomena continued to compare and contrast the cathedrals she had seen in the US to Hogwarts as they stepped through to large front doors and stepped into the entrance hallway. A tall, white haired man in blue robes was standing at the foot of a grand staircase. When he saw the group of Gryffindors, he began walking towards them.
"Ah Harry, I see you've already met Miss McKellen," Dumbledore stated calmly before addressing Philomena directly, "Would you prefer to be called Philomena or Mena?"
"Mena, sir, but how did you know who I was?"
"I am Headmaster Dumbledore and as headmaster it is my duty and privilege to know all the students that pass through these doors. I do believe the first years will be arriving shortly, which means it is almost time to begin the feast. You will be seated at the professors' table until they arrive, please follow me."
Dumbledore gestured towards the Great Hall before smiling gingerly at Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny. They entered the hall together the four Gryffindors taking their seats at the table while Philomena and Dumbledore headed for the Professors table at the front of the hall where there was a stool with a ratty old hat resting upon it. A few minutes passed and Dumbledore stood to address the school.
"Welcome back to Hogwarts one and all. As you all know, Voldemort's return has finally been recognized by the Ministry and as such, we here at the school would like to ensure you that all precautions have been taken to secure the school against any attempt at entering the grounds or the castle. Also, our caretaker Mr. Filch has asked me to remind students that there have been additions to the list of restricted items and a revised list is hanging on his office door. Last but not least the Forbidden Forest is just that, forbidden to all students."
The doors to the Great Hall swung open and Professor McGonagall swept in quickly followed by at least 60 first year students waiting to be sorted.
"Ah yes, now that the first years have arrived the sorting can begin. However, the first student to be sorted this evening is not a first year," he motioned for Philomena to stand and walk towards the stool, "This is Philomena McKellen and she is a sixth year transfer student from Magus-Agnitio Academy in the United States."
Professor McGonagall removed the tattered old hat from the stool. Philomena took the seat and the hat was placed on her head. Inside her head Philomena could hear the hat speaking to her, "You've got great potential, very great potential. You got an unimaginable power that could prove quite helpful in Slytherin. What's this you are not a fan of Slytherin? Quite clever, loyal, and courageous, better make it GRYFFINDOR!" The hat yelled the last word aloud for the entire Great Hall to hear and a massive cheer came from the Gryffindor table with her four train companions yelling the loudest. She hopped off the stool, strolled over to where they were sitting, and found a seat waiting for her.
"I figured you'd end up here so I thought to save you a seat," Hermione shouted over her housemates' cheers.
Philomena smiled at her and patted her hand, "Thank you Hermione. You know that batty old hat tried to put me in Slytherin. What's up with that?"
Harry shot her a quick look of shock before clearing his face and striking up a conversation with Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan about Quidditch. The sorting hat sang it's song about inter-house unity and such and when it was done McGonagall began calling the first years alphabetically to be placed under the sorting hat. Several students in Ron's stomach began making strange gurgling noises and he moaned, "I'm starving! This nonsense takes forever."
"Would you like some cheese with that whine?" asked Philomena grinning.
Hermione, who was the only one that caught the play on words, began laughing quietly to herself and Philomena began laughing as well glad that her joke hadn't been missed by everyone at the table. Half an hour later, Dumbledore stood to congratulate the first years and then to everyone's approval said, "Tuck in," and all kinds of delicious smelling foods appeared out of nowhere on plates and platters alike and goblets filled themselves with pumpkin juice. Everyone in the Great Hall ate their fill before the house prefects led the students to their houses and said the password. Hermione, Philomena, and Ginny said goodnight to boys making plans to meet them for breakfast tomorrow before classes and headed to their respective dormitories. Ginny said a quick goodbye to the girls as she disappeared in to her dormitory while Hermione and Philomena ducked into the sixth year dormitory. Ready for bed in record time the two girls laid down to sleep, but before she could go to bed, Philomena rolled over and whispered across the room to Hermione, "Hey Hermione you still up?"
"Yes, I'm still awake."
"I'm kind of nervous about tomorrow what with getting around this huge castle to all my classes."
"You'll be alright, I'm sure you'll have all your classes with at least one of more of us. We'll help you out so no worries."
"Thanks, I'm so glad I knocked on your compartment door. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."