Chapter 1

Professor Minerva McGonagall had done a lot of things for Dumbledore in her time as Deputy Headmistress, but this topped all. She was at the airport! London's Heathrow Airport! But she was on school business. It was probably for the better though, Dumbledore more than likely would have sent Hagrid if she had refused. She was there picking up an exchange student from America that Dumbledore insisted on inviting to Hogwarts. McGonagall was worried that the student's parents would not allow their child to come to England for school; most would not. However, it turned out that the student in question was an orphan and had no known family.

Suddenly, McGonagall saw the student. A roughly sixteen year old girl with wavy brown hair came out of the terminal wearing the Statue of Liberty tee that was agreed upon for identification. McGonagall was wearing a green Muggle suit and a matching hat (though not her usual witch's one).

"Annalise?" she asked as the approached the teen.

"Pro—I mean, Ms. McGonagall?" she replied.

"Yes, dear," said McGonagall. "I'm taking you to the hotel. Tomorrow, we're going shopping for your school supplies." Annalise's eyes grew wide with excitement at the prospect of shopping for her school stuff. They quickly found Annalise's two large suitcases and, hailing a cab, went to the hotel for the night.

The "hotel" turned out to be The Leaky Cauldron since it was an inn and tavern. Tom, the bartender took one of the suitcases and showed the two up to their rooms.

Tom set Annalise's suitcase on the floor in her room as they entered and told her not to hesitant in asking for anything. Annalise thanked Tom and he swept out with a bow, telling Pro. McGonagall her room was next door. As Annalise admired the antique furniture, McGonagall studied her closely, trying to figure out what made Dumbledore to adamant on having her come to Hogwarts. She was sure he had good reason, but, of course, he had not share it with her.

"Well, sleep well, dear." said McGonagall. "I would like to get an early start tomorrow."

"Thank you, ma'am," Annalise replied "I'll certainly try."

Well, at least she has good manners, thought McGonagall as she made her way to her own room.

The next day seemed to dawn bright and early to Annalise, but having always been an early riser; she hopped out of bed and quickly dressed in a pink and black argyle sweater and a grey skirt with black riding boots. She pulled half her hair back in a ponytail and slipped her favorite Celtic knot earrings in her ears. Quickly glancing at her reflection in the floor length mirror, she deemed herself presentable and dashed downstairs to find Pro. McGonagall. She found the professor at a corner table ordering breakfast. Annalise quickly sat down, gave her apologies for being late, and ordered an omelet, sausage, and biscuits with jam. During breakfast, Annalise and McGonagall discussed their plan of action for their excursion to Diagon Alley. They were off in half an hour and Annalise was thoroughly enjoying everything: the brick wall gateway, the quaint shops, the fascinating people. Cauldrons of every size and metal were in the window of the cauldron shop. A rainbow of robes could be seen from the windows of Madam Malkin's Robes for all Occasions. Broomsticks and sports uniforms were in one shop and the one beside it was spilling over with potion ingredients. Another shop called Flourish and Blotts was clearly a bookstore. Annalise could not wait to explore that one; she loved books.

McGonagall took out the list of supplies and led Annalise to Madam Malkin's for school robes. Annalise felt bad about taking the scholarship for needy students to pay for her school supplies, but Pro. Dumbledore had insisted that she come. So, with no one to leave behind, Annalise had accepted his offer. She smiled happily as Madam Malkin pinned the hem of her new black robes. The day went by in a blur, there was so much to see and do. Annalise kept turning her head every direction to see everything.

They got her cauldron since it was going to be the heaviest thing to carry. Annalise instantly fell in love with Flourish and Blotts, though. McGonagall took her just so she could see the store since Dumbledore planned to test her to find out what level she was on. Books on every magical subject possible filled the shelves and had to be stacked on the floor. Every corner was jam packed. She and McGonagall wove through the crowds of young wizards and their parents, and Annalise marveled at the volumes surrounding her. Even though they were not there to get her books, Annalise did treat herself to a leather bound journal with the money she had gotten changed in Gringotts the wizard bank at the end of the street. McGonagall had taken her there so see could see it was well.

Now heavy laden with supplies, including large truck to replace Annalise's tattered suitcases, McGonagall and Annalise made their way back to The Leaky Cauldron. McGonagall had surprisingly enjoyed her day with Annalise. She had heard that Americans had a tendency to be proud or arrogant. Annalise was neither. She was quiet, polite, and respectful. She had proven herself eager to learn and smart. McGonagall's original misgivings were quickly disappearing. She and Annalise immediately took their burdens up to the girl's room and deposited it on the bed. McGonagall looked down at her watch. It was after one already!

"Oh, Merlin, look at the time! We'd better run down and see what Tom is serving for lunch." She said motioning for Annalise to follow. Just as they sat down, a tall man with long silver and hair and beard and half-moon spectacles came in.

"Finished already, Minerva?" he called gently.

"Pro. Dumbledore! I didn't expect you so soon!' said McGonagall. "Annalise this is Pro. Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts." Annalise rose and shook his hands.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, my dear." He said warmly. Annalise thanked him and sat down. "I take it you two ladies were about to have lunch," he continued as he sat down. "Hope you don't mind of I joined you?"

"Of course not, Professor." McGonagall answered. "When do you plan to test Annalise?" she asked when Tom had taken their orders.

"As soon as possible; after lunch preferably." He answered. "Don't fret, it's nothing to worry about." He smiled at the young witch who looked nervous at the mention of testing so soon.

His warm smile put Annalise at ease and she was able to enjoy her lunch with her professors. When Tom finally cleared the dishes away, Dumbledore took out his wand, waved it, and some papers appeared before him. These he gave to Annalise telling her it was the written portion of her testing. It would cover her knowledge of history, potions, magic theories, and a smattering of a lot of other topics she may or may not have had yet such as Arithmacy, Divination, and Ancient Runes. Annalise took the papers and worked her hardest to answer the questions. Of course, there were some thing she could not do, like advanced Arithmacy and Divination. Two hours later, she had finished the test and Dumbledore took her into a parlor to test her spell casting abilities. Again, she gave Pro. Dumbledore everything she had. At the end Annalise was exhausted and Dumbledore awarded her a smile.

"Well, done, my dear, well done." He praised as she sank into one of the chairs. Dumbledore was impressed with the young American. "Pro. McGonagall will let you the classes you are cleared to take when you sign up at Hogwarts for classes. You might want to lie down for a bit, Annalise." The tired girl nodded with a soft smile.

"And you might want to get to bed early," said McGonagall. "I don't want to be rushed to get to the station on time."

Annalise rose. "Yes, ma'am." She answered as she started to traipse up to her room. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Headmaster." She smiled as Dumbledore shook her hand good-bye. When Annalise had left, Dumbledore turned to McGonagall.

"Can you now see why I asked her to Hogwarts?"

"I suppose." replied McGonagall. "She is a brilliant witch, but I don't see why she had to come to Hogwarts."

"You are right; her talents in magic are not the only reason I had for bringing her to Hogwarts."

Chapter 2

Sixteen year old Draco Malfoy was alone in his compartment aboard the Hogwarts Express as he waited for his friends. He was deep in thought of what had happened over the summer when the door of his compartment had gently opened a bit. He turned to see a petite girl with brown wavy hair. She wore a white blouse, a long denim skirt, and black leather boots. "May join you? All the other compartments are full." She asked tentatively, revealing an American accent.

Oh great. Draco thought sarcastically. With a sigh, he nodded his consent.

"Thanks so much!" she answered cheerfully as she stepped in and put her large leather messenger bag in the luggage rack overhead. "Annalise is my name, but you can call me Ann or Anna if you like." She introduced herself.

"Draco Malfoy" he revealed grudgingly. He could hear her accent and knew his father would not like him associating with foreigners, especially Americans. However, she was kind of pretty. Chestnut brown wavy hair, emerald eyes, ivory pale skin, and a slender, willowy figure gave her an almost sprite-like appearance. She took out a book and began to read, a smile playing across her face every so often. Draco watched her loose herself completely to the world of the book, and the longer he studied her, the prettier he realized she was. He quickly shook his head to dismiss such thoughts and took out a book of his own. After a few minutes of not being able to concentrate, Draco stole another glance at his silent companion. He was just noticing the golden highlights in her hair that shone in the sunlight streaming in through the window when Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy showed up.

"Draco! We finally found you!" Pansy cried as she plopped herself into the seat beside Draco. Then she noticed Annalise. "Who is she?" she asked suspiciously.

"I'm Annalise." She answered before Draco could. "Pleased to meet you." She held out her hand. Pansy just stared at it. Crabbe and Goyle exchanged confused looks. Since when did Draco let a complete stranger sit in his compartment?