When Light and Dark meet…

Turmoil rises…

If united…

One side is assured victory.

"Mrs. Baxter packed us a lunch for the plane…she made the cookies you like." Haley said as she walked into the bedroom she shared with her twin.

"That was nice of her… she does know most muggles eat on the plane?" Mallory asked from under the bed.

"I didn't have the heart to break it to her." Haley sighed. "Your shoe is in the closet."

"Thanks." Mallory said standing.

Haley sat on her sister's bed and gave a long sigh.

Mallory knew what that meant and sat next to her ready for a "talk."

"Are you nervous?" Haley asked blinking to keep tears back.

"No it's going to be great!" Mallory said putting her arm around her sister.

"But Mal we've never left the AMS before…"

"Look Silly, it will be fine. It's time for us to get out of here. The Baxter's have been great taking us in like they did, but we need this."

"I know Billy." Haley smiled at the use of their nicknames. "I guess I'll just miss everyone here. And Mark is really upset."

"Of course he is, you guys have been dating since Mr. Baxter would let boys near you." Mallory got up to retrieve her shoe. She wouldn't tell Haley this but she was psyched to get out from under the watchful eyes of the Baxter's and away from the American Wizarding School where everyone had known her since she was "knee high to a grasshopper," as they all liked to remind her. She wanted to be some where for once in her life where her name and Haley's weren't forever connected.

Haley on the other hand sat on Mallory's bed thinking that she would rather just hide out until the plane left than head over to some stupid school in England all because some man named Dumbleydore, or something like that, sent them a letter.

Mrs. Baxter came running into the room moments later as the girls continued to pack their suitcases "I've just received a message from Hogwarts. Dumbledore wants you girls there as soon as possible so you will be traveling by floo-powder."

Mallory frowned. "What's the rush?"

"Yeah, I haven't even said goodbye to Mark yet."

Mallory rolled her eyes.

"What?" Haley asked indignantly. "I can't just leave the country without saying goodbye to my boyfriend." She slammed the lid on her trunk angrily.

"Yes the world might come to a complete stop, and the ice caps might begin to melt, and the hole in the ozone might grow even bigger…"

"That's enough Mallory." Mrs. Baxter interrupted her. "I'm sorry Haley but this can't be helped. If Dumbledore says he needs you now than he needs you now." She led the two girls into the kitchen. Mallory followed quickly ready more than ever to be on her way while Haley looked longingly back at their old room.

"You girls have never traveled by floo powder before but you shouldn't have any trouble. Just step into the fire and clearly say where you would like to go. Throw this powder and you should end up at Hogwarts." Mrs. Baxter said giving each girl a handful of bright green powder.

"I'll send your things along. Be good girls. I just wanted to say…" Mrs. Baxter quickly wiped her eyes. "Mr. Baxter and I have enjoyed…well you've just been so…"

"It's all right Mrs. Baxter we know… we love you too." Haley said, softly patting the old woman's shoulder.

"Yeah thanks for everything." Mallory gave her a quick hug and then stepped into the fireplace. "Hogwarts!" She said loudly and threw down the powder.

Haley was again more reluctant than her twin but she shortly followed and stepped out onto an antique rug in what appeared to be the headmaster's office.

"Welcome girls! Welcome!" said a kindly voice.

Haley turned to see Mallory already standing next to a large oak desk. Sitting behind the desk she saw a tall thin old man with a long silver beard. "Please Ms. Wolfe you may step out of my fireplace. Welcome to Hogwarts. I am Professor Dumbledore, the man who so rudely interrupted your travel plans this afternoon."

"Hello Professor." Mallory said politely.

"Nice to meet you." Haley said joining her sister from the fireplace.

"Well I know you girls are tired but there are a few things we must discuss before I can let you get any rest, I'm afraid. Please have seat." Dumbledore pulled out his wand and with a small wave two chintz chairs appeared.

"I don't know how much you have heard about the events at our school last year…" He said looking at the girls for recognition.

"Harry Potter thinks that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has come back." Mallory said as though she thought Harry Potter was off his rocker.

"Well he has." Dumbledore said matter of factly. "And for your own safety we have decided that it's best for you to stay here."

"Because the death eaters killed our parents." Haley said looking at him somberly.

Dumbledore nodded. "But now to more pleasant matters. It is the first day of school and we have our traditional feast during which you will be sorted into houses."

The two girls looked at him mutely since neither of them had any idea what he was talking about.

"If you girls will accompany me downstairs the hat will explain everything." Dumbledore stood and walked towards the door.

"He's nuts." Mallory whispered to Haley.

"Shhh"

"No really. He thinks You-Know-Who is back and he is going to let a hat explain things to us?"

"The Baxter's trust him." Haley said in a way that closed the discussion and the two girls made their way to the Great Hall.

When Dumbledore led the twins into the Hall all of the students were already seated at the four house tables. Silence fell as they all turned to see why Dumbledore was so late that he missed the Sorting.

"Welcome!" Dumbledore said as he took his place at the front of the hall. "I apologize for my tardiness, but as you see I had some business to attend to. I would like you all to meet our two new transfer students. This is Mallory and Haley Wolfe from the American Magic School. I would like you all to make them feel welcome here. And now we shall sort them. Professor McGonagall, would you please set the hat back down."

Mallory and Haley looked at the hat vacantly wondering what exactly they were supposed to do now when suddenly the hat spoke.

"Well put me on then, let's get this over with."

Haley quickly picked up the hat and sat on the stool.

"Hmmm…" the hat said in her ear. "Let's see you've got the brains for Ravenclaw…and you would do very well in Hufflepuff… Slytherin isn't for you…. But there is something extra here… well I think it had better be GRYFFINDOR!" She heard a loud uproar from one of the tables and went to go sit among them, giving Mallory a small smile as she walked away.

Mallory took up the hat and trying not to look as nervous as she was she put it on.

"Smart like your sister I see… You could be in Ravenclaw… Hufflepuff isn't for you… Maybe Gryffindor…"

Mallory thought quickly, "Oh great I'll be linked with Haley again."

"I see you want the spotlight then? Well I know what to do with you… SLYTHERIN!"

Mallory stood and made her way to the table that had cheered for her. She did not look over at her sister and didn't see the disappointment on her face.

At the staff table McGonagall exchanged a nervous glance with Dumbledore.

Authors Note: This fanfic takes place after the 4th year. It will probably not follow along with the 5th book. It is being written by me and my sister, so bare with us. This is the first co-written fanfiction we have done. And as a disclaimer, we don't own any of the Harry Potter characters(obviously). Well that's it for now! Hope you enjoy it! R&R please!