A/N: So guys, here it goes. It's the first chapter of my Next Generation FanFic. Please note that this will not ALWAYS follow cannon. It will most of the time, but there are some things of my creation and twists and turns.

See guys, I started this story on deviantART, but I thought it was too fast and 2 outrageous, so I'm restarting, and I'm restarting differently.

But also, if you are reading this hand haven't read my other story that lead up to this, It's Time, please do. And if you don't want to, just read that last chapter, Turning Point: Imperium. It's the prologue/preview to this fanfic.

And for those who have read it and were enticed to read more, what are your thoughts on the woman? Who do you think it is? I know I got a review not long after I posted the preview asking who it was and to update soon.

Comment and review please.

Well, here it goes.

I was nervously packing my trunk for yet another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I love Hogwarts, but I had this nagging knot in my chest this morning.

Even though Hogwarts was my favourite place besides my own room, I was nervous to go back, like Hogwarts wasn't as safe as it used to be.

I had just read the headline news of The Daily Prophet and chills ran dangerous down my spine:

"The New 'Death Eaters'?

Many become afraid for their safety again as a newly found dark wizard group addressing themselves as 'The Imperios' attacked a group of muggles outside a building last night. The brutally beat the down and used various curses n them. Though the victims were not murdered, they were severely injured.

Some accuse the Aurors for not being there. Zacharias Smith, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation , said to reporter Cho Dursley, "If you ask me, the Aurors have been slacking on their job lately."

When faced with the accusation, Head Auror Harry Potter stated, "This was the first real threat that these people have posed on anyone, and we arrived as quickly as possible when we heard. We are tracing these people with the little evidence they have left behind."

Though most people are reassured with Harry Potter's statement, some worry about the safety of Hogwarts students. When questioned about his opinion, Tornadoes Owner Dean Thomas said, "Even though Hogwarts is marked with safety precautions, boundaries have been breached before, look at the Second Wizarding War."

With rise of what people are referring to as 'The New Death Eaters', the real truth is to always be looking out for yourself.

-Cho Dursley"

That certainly was not reassuring. My thoughts drifted back to what Isobel's dad had said, "Look at the Second Wizarding War". I hadn't heard that much about it. Most who had experienced it weren't comfortable with talking about it. All I knew was that a Dark Wizard named Voldemort took over the Wizarding World for a good 9 or 10 months. I knew that he hated muggleborns –which I just so happen to be- and basically tried to kill them all. I knew that the Final Battle took place at Hogwarts. That's what troubled me.

If Hogwarts could be invaded then, what was the difference now?


"Ronnie!" I didn't answer. Not that I actually meant to ignore my mother, but I honestly didn't hear her, my head was lost in uncontrollable thought about the paper. "Veronica Lillian Corner if you do not get down here right now and load your trunk and Peverell into the car you will miss the train!"

That snapped me out of my trance.

I scooped up Peverell and stuck him in his cage. Peverell is my cat. I named him after the Peverell brothers. I got him not too long after I read the story in The Tales of Beetle the Bard.

After safely putting both Peverell and my trunk into the back end of my father's car, my mum, my dad, and I were off to King's Cross Station.

I could never get enough adrenaline from pushing my way through the barrier of King's Cross and Platform 9 and ¾.

When I shot through, my attention quickly fell upon the strikingly beautiful Hogwarts Express. It was a deep scarlet with the Hogwarts Crest painted elegantly on the side of it.

"Now, Ronnie," My mother began. I turned to see that her and my father had just passed through the barrier, "Are you sure you have everything?" I nodded and lifted my trunk onto the train –with great effort, mind you-, "Sunscreen?"

"Mum, there's a spell for that." I said, smiling weakly. I always had a hard time saying goodbye to my mum.

"Sorry, I'm not a witch, I wouldn't know." She hugged me tightly.

Neither of my parents were magical, but after arriving at Hogwarts, I found that my uncle, Michael Corner was.

"Veronica." I turned to my father. "Be careful, sweetie." I was surprised to see a tear fall down his cheek. My father wasn't the type of person to let his feelings go.

"I promise, Daddy." I hugged my mother goodbye one more time, then began to watch my parents retreating backs as they went back through the barrier.

I wanted to cry, not going to lie. I was worried sick about my parents. Even though they themselves had relatives that were magical besides me, I wasn't fully convinced they would be completely fine.

"Ronnie!" I turned around frantically afraid of what I might face.

All I seen was a curly bush of black hair before arms tightly wrapped themselves around me.

"Hello, Isobel." I grunted, wincing at the pain of her inpact a little.

"I missed you so much!" Isobel exclaimed. "How was your summer? How is your family? Is your cousin still a-"

I stopped her before she could finish her sentence. "Isobel, breathe." It's not that Isobel was quiet, she just wasn't obnoxious. "My summer was great, my family's fine, and yes, my cousin is still horrible."

Isobel seemed to do as I told her because her shoulders slumped down a little. "Have you seen Alice?"

I shook my head. Alice Longbottom was the last piece of our little trio. Alice is this quirky, fun-loving girl with a nack for sarcastic remarks. She has a twin brother, Frank. Frank isn't the opposite, but he's much more toned down than she is.

"Did someone say Alice Longbottom?" (*AVPM reference!*)

"Alice!" Isobel flung her arms around Alice, nearly knocking her down like she had me. I chuckled a little.

"Veronica, if you don't hug me you will be mauled." Alice warned innocently. I all but skipped over to her and threw my arms around her. I had to stand on my toes a little; I'm not the tallest person. When I backed away, I noticed Alice's eyes go to Isobel's robes. "You're a prefect?!" Alice's very loud voice attracted large amounts of attention.

Isobel nodded nonchalantly.

"And you proceeded not to tell us?" I asked Isobel, appalled she would keep such important information from us.

"I didn't think you would care all that much." Isobel may be brainy and intelligent, but damn she lacked necessary common sense.

While Isobel and Alice broke into conversation and lifted their trunks onto the train like I had, I studied them. Isobel had this shoulder length bush of tightly curled brown hair. Her skin was brown, like the color of chocolate. Her eyes were a melting deep brown. Her personality matched her appearance; sweet and kind. Alice on the other hand, was completely the opposite. Alice had sparkling blue eyes that could pierce you at any moment, practically forcing any information out of you. Her hair was cut short and spiky. Her skin was tanned from all the time the girl spends outside. Alice's wardrobe described her perfectly; strange in the perfect way.

"Ah, Emeralds." I turned on my heel swiftly to come face to face with none other than my best friend. Fred Weasley.

"Fred!" I jumped high into his arms as he chuckled at my eagerness. Fred was like a brother to me, nothing different, no matter what the gossip said about us being, totally in love. Like hell I could love Fred in any other way than brotherly. The idea itself scares me.

"Hello to you, too." Fred laughed, hugging me tight. "Missed you sis."

I carefully let myself, totally not intending to be knocked to the ground. But, I don't think Isobel actually meant to knock me over. The girl just wanted to see Fred I guess. Oh, Isobel. I know you like him. Alice helped me up and we laughed at the scene before us.

Isobel had her arms wrapped tightly around Fred's neck while his face reddened and her returned the favor, hugging her back. Fred caught sight of me and stuck his tongue out at me. I raised my hands up in defense.

"Speaking of romance," Alice turned to me. "How's Louis?"

Louis. Oh, Louis.

I shrugged, because truth be told, I didn't have the slightest idea. He didn't write to me all summer. To be honest, it hurt me a little. I'm his girlfriend.

"How can you not know?" Alice asked accusingly. Again I shrugged.

"He hasn't written to me all summer." I said like it didn't matter, but she wasn't buying it.

"Why are we annoying my girlfriend?"

As if right on cue, I felt arms wrap tightly around my waist, pulling me into someone. I giggled, and playfully tried to release Louis' grip on me to no avail.

"Not so fast, you." He pulled me away from the group.

"Louis, it's almost 11, we could miss the train!" I whispered anxiously as he turned me around and planted a hungry kiss on me.

"We'll be fine," he whispered, a grin playing on his face. "How've you been?" he asked.

"Fine." I mumbled. Quickly remembering that he had ignored me all summer, I pulled away from him.

"Everything alright?" He asked.

"No, everything is not alright, Louis." I grumbled, anger rising inside of me. "You haven't spoken to me all summer."

A look of realization came upon his face. "Oh…"

"Yeah." I snapped, turning towards the train.

He grabbed my arm, the prick.

"Ronnie, I had a lot going on this summer."

I sighed hugely, then turned back around and placed a small kiss on his lips. "Just please don't do it again, ok?"

He nodded. He grabbed my hand and we boarded the train just as before the doors closed.

A/N: So? Thoughts?

What do you guys think of the characters so far?

My main concern is 1) What you think of Ronnie (does she seem to Mary-Sueish?) and 2) What about the Imperios?

And what about Louis? Does he seem like a guy you can trust?