Disclaimer: I own nothing but the following characters: Emily May, Aliana Thompson, and Jane Silverfire. This story is a combination of Harry Potter, Twilight, and The Avatar. It begins after the sixth Harry Potter book- but some surprises await you, so please do not assume anything… Emily, Jane, and Aliana are all American girls: Emily has large green eyes, long, dark, wavy brown hair, full lips, pale cream skin, a slender build, and a natural grace, but otherwise has plainer features than Aliana; Aliana has smaller blue eyes, straight, fiery red hair, a curvy figure, and loves eyeliner- she stands out, but definitely not in a bad way; Jane has dark brown eyes- almost black, her hair is naturally long and straight, raven black, rather skinny appearance- small and compact, and she is of Philippine decent- she is very quiet and her composure is often full of mystique, and people are drawn to her as much as Emily and Aliana. That's all you need to know for now- wouldn't want to spoil all the surprises!
First- Dumbledore's not dead- forget that part ever happened. You're welcome. :)
Chapter 1: Who?
(Disclaimer: Again, I don't claim any of the old names, plots, scenes, etc.!)
"Oh no!" Hermione cried angrily, storming over to where Harry and Ron were sitting at the Gryffindor table for the first night of their seventh year. She sat down grumbling between them.
"Hermione! You're sitting on my robes!" Ron complained, tugging sluggishly at them. He was exhausted from the train ride.
The first years were much more nervous and uncontrollable this year, due to the rumors flying all over London about the dark mark the potions teacher, Severus Snape, left last year before he tried to kill Dumbledore and failed, running off with Draco Malfoy. They had either been scared or too excited for Ron to handle with the other prefects. Hermione would have been a blessing- had she been around. "Sorry Ron- This is an emergency!" she had called to him. "You bet it is," he had muttered behind her back as a first year tried to get him in a chokehold, screaming.
"Oh, Ron, I'm sorry," she said, impatiently adjusting her seat. Ginny, across the table snorted.
"If you're apologizing for forcing him to do a day's work for once in his life, you'd better be joking," she said rolling her eyes as Ron muttered at his empty plate as the Great Hall filled.
"What's wrong Hermione?" Harry asked concernedly. Although he had a lot on his mind, considering all he knew he would have to do this year once things got started, he was still able to focus on his friends- something Ron and Ginny were obviously too agitated with their own issues to notice.
Ginny sighed. "I bet it's about those three exchange students she hasn't shut up about all summer." Harry looked at her quizzically. It was not common behavior for Ginny to be put out with Hermione. Then again, he had an awkward conversation on the train ride here with her, trying to explain that he didn't want to resume their relationship for reasons similar to last year- and she had been very grudging about that. He guessed that that conversation hadn't helped to lighten her mood.
Hermione, instead of glaring at Ginny, as Harry thought she would, she looked sheepishly at him. "I'd hoped that they would explain their visit to you, Harry, but as they haven't arrived yet…"
"Wait- weren't they supposed to come on the Hogwarts Express?" Ginny interrupted curiously. Hermione clasped her hands, clearly upset.
"Yes! They obviously missed it- I had tried contacting them a hundred times while we were moving, but I got no response back no matter how hard I tried! I can't find Dumbledore, and Magonagal is with the first years now!" she said nervously. Harry patted her on the back.
"Don't worry Hermione- Dumbledore will sort it out. We'll go up to him the moment his opening speech is over," he assured her with a smile. Harry thought she'd smile back but she sighed and nodded. "But something confuses me Hermione- not that a lot of things don't…" Hermione smiled a little there. "Why do they need to explain to me that they're here? They are just three special exchange students right?" Hermione's small smile vanished as quickly as it had come, apprehension filling her face.
"They- uhm… I don't know…"
"Oh Hermione! Just tell us already!" Ginny cried throwing her hands up. "All you ever say- although you talk about them A LOT- are that they're really smart and super talented! Say something!"
"I'm sorry Ginny- you know its there place to tell- not mine…" Hermione said quietly.
"I know, I know…" Ginny sighed, twirling her hair in one hand. "Just say anything."
Hermione took a deep breath, turning back to Harry, whose green eyes were wary…
"These three witches are entirely extraordinary- now don't tell anyone, but they're the top three witches of the Western Hemisphere." Ron gave a low whistle. Harry smiled-
"Bet you beat them out over here," he said, laughing. Hermione shook her head slowly.
"They have magic beyond my comprehension Harry…" Hermione whispered.
"She's being modest," Ginny said, waving her hand. "I saw their averages- impressive, but Hermione still better- actually, she's the smartest witch we've had almost since your mother Harry." Harry gave a small, proud smile.
"Wow, that's seriously cool Hermione!" Ron exclaimed, all the while, Hermione was shaking her head.
"No… They can do things now, that I will never be able to do in a million years," Hermione explained earnestly. "Harry- they will show you… That's why I missed your birthday- I'm so sorry Harry. But Emily had been writing to me all summer that Aliana wanted to come so badly… and she spoke as if she already knew they would come… she told me something special to tell Dumbledore to persuade her case… and she visited me that night in secret to show me. The next day, Dumbledore had signed all the papers, and they were set to be here for the whole year as 7th years. They graduated early from the American Arts Academy in New York City."
"Wow," Ron muttered again. Harry answering smile was weak, but still genuine.
"Hermione I told you… It's okay. I'm still seriously confused though, as to why-" A fork clinking against Dumbledore's goblet called the attention of all the students gathered in the Great Hall. Murmurs still surfaced as everyone settled down.
"Harry," Hermione whispered in his ear, "They're here to help you." Harry simply looked at her with wide eyes. Did she mean with his mission against Voldemort? With one last glance at her downcast eyes, Harry knew that she did. Harry recalled a conversation she had had with him over the summer- Harry had insisted about involving only those who were necessary and no one else. Hermione, Harry, and Ron had spent several nights planning out some ideas that Dumbledore had given Harry leave to discuss with them, and they all had decided that it was necessary to return to Hogwarts for their final year, while Voldemort was hiding, being relatively minimal in his destruction as of late. Harry sighed, rubbing his forehead, and looked up expectantly as Magonagal brought out the sorting hat.
"Whispers on the air,
Fire everywhere,
Water seeks its hold
Among nature's gold.
Students that are smart,
Students brave of heart,
Seek the narrow way
By dawn's light at break of day.
This year we sing of peace,
For violence that will cease,
Each year I wish you well…
Now each pupil cast their spell!"
A round of applause broke out amongst the four house tables, but more than one face contained bewildered and confused expressions…
"Any luck with that one Hermione?" Ron asked as everyone began to settle down under Dumbledore's raised hand.
"I suppose we decide that for ourselves, Ronald," Hermione said, exasperated. Ron shrugged his shoulders, while Ginny nodded seriously. "Wow," Harry thought. "That makes sense."
"Adonis, Christine," Magonagal said calling up the first year. A young girl with bright blond hair skipped nervously to the stool. Just as the Sorting Hat touched her head Hermione gasped. Many students turned their heads to stare at her hand over her mouth, but then the Sorting Hat cried Hufflepuff, and cheers erupted around the room.
"What?" Harry muttered in her ear. Hermione smiled.
"They're going to be sorted!" She whispered back.
"Oh. Well that makes sense." Hermione smiled pleased. "Emily May is first."
They waited as Magonagal went through several first years before getting anywhere near the M's.
"Madison, Leslie," she called holding the Hat in her hand.
"Slytherin!" cried the Hat. Thunderous applause erupted from the Slytherin table.
"7th year transfer, May, Emily."
"Who?" erupted in whispers all over the Great Hall. "7th year transfer?" "Since when? What?" "WHO?" Hermione was practically jumping up and down in her seat as, a tall girl with dark brown hair, made her way up to the Sorting Hat from the back of the line. Once she reached the top, the Great Hall hushed instantly. She slowly turned around. A fresh wave of whispers rippled through the four tables at the strange, older girl's simple beauty. Magonagal lowered the hat onto her head.
"Ye gads!" cried the Sorting Hat, making everyone jump in his or her seats. "Do you even need me on your head? Quite right, quite right. Such a heart as this belongs in… Gryffindor!"
Thunderous, yet bewildered applause echoed around Harry's ears. Hermione was screaming. "Emily! Emily!" Jumping up and down waving. Emily gave a warm smile, and waved back, but shook her head, standing off to the side, hands folded in front of her patiently, staring expectantly at the line of first years for the next student to be sorted. The whispers were running full course now, with no sense of ceasing. It was not too long before Magonagal called,
"7th year transfer- Silverfire, Jane."
"Who?!" "Who?" "What did she say?" "Again?!" "Who?"
Harry watched as a small, yet beautiful girl of Philippine decent sat on the stool.
"Ha! Enchanting. Gryffindor, my dear!"
Amongst more bewildered, loud cheering, the girl named Jane went to stand alongside Emily, who gave her a warm hug. Hermione was practically dancing on Harry's toes, she and Ginny laughing like crazy. A few minutes later…
"7th year transfer- Thompson, Aliana."
"Who?!" "Another one?!" "Who?" "Who did she say?" "Who?"
Wolf whistles echoed throughout the whispers. Magonagal looked so furious, Harry could swear she was taking names inside her head. But the girl named Aliana smiled brilliantly as she sat down, the Sorting Hat placed on her head. It seemed to shake visibly and Aliana's smile vanished. It returned again as she let out a smile giggle, nodding.
"Gryffindor!" The cheers were as deafening and as confused as before. But Ginny and Hermione were practically crying on each other. Harry and Ron couldn't help holding their sides with laughter. Very soon, the Sorting was over, and Dumbledore got up to speak. The Great Hall was finally silent, waiting with baited breath for news of the three mysterious transfers.
"Just a few quick announcements before we tuck in," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eyes. He gestured for Emily to come to his side, and she did as he spoke, "This young woman is the Witches' and Wizards' Scholar Ambassador from the American Arts Academy. She has been a correspondent with our own Ambassador, Miss Hermione Granger-" The whispers escalated in their feverish activity- "And we have now acquired three transfers who wished to learn as we do, having completed the American education early. I expect you all to show them the ropes of the school and to be the respectful, welcoming students I know that you are." Some teachers seemed to scoff teasingly at this, but then the entire school burst into a welcoming applause, that made Dumbledore smile with absolute pleasure. Emily, Jane, and Aliana all curtsied and went to sit next to Hermione, shaking hands and high-fiving as they went.
"And now for one last important announcement." The whispers died instantaneously at Dumbledore's serious and solemn tone. "I know this may be extremely difficult for some of you-" Was Harry imagining that he was staring right at him? - "But it is wonderful news nonetheless," he said quietly. "An old student that had to leave us before his time, has returned to complete his education of his 7th year." Whispers of "Who?" spread like wildfire but died just as fast. "We believed him to have moved on. Alas, I told you it was so," Dumbledore said, his head bowed. Harry's stomach clenched, refusing to let him breathe as students gasped around him.
"This young man had faced Lord Voldemort and was thought to have lost… But a barely formed shield of ancient magic he produced- and ultimately saved his life by a thread. He had been transported to St. Mungo's presumed dead, but upon the examination, they found him barely alive, as Voldemort's killing curse had not completely touched him due to his shield. By a miraculous recovery that took a year of painful magic- keeping him from the brink of death, his last effective treatment was delivered late this summer healing him anew in ways that will astound us all. Students, I ask you to welcome back, Mr. Cedric Diggory."
"WHO?"
***