Chapter one: Without them
14 year old Harry Potter yawned, and stretched his arms. Rubbing his brilliant green eyes, he reached for his round glasses and placed them on the bridge of his nose. In vain he tried to brush back his shock of jet black hair, and looked at his clock, 8:00 AM, he jumped up. It was September 1st, the day he was going back to Hogwarts to enter his fourth year...not to mention leave the Dursleys! He quietly, yet frantically got dressed, and practically flew down the steps of number 4 privet drive. The Dursleys were already up, and his uncle Vernon was muttering about "stupid hocus pocus."
"Um, Uncle Vernon?" he asked, tentively.
*grunt*
"Well, it's September 1st, and you promised you would drive me to King's Cross, I've already put my trunk into the car... ok?"
He didn't even look up from his newspaper, but did answer, "Fine with me, I'll be glad to get rid of you for a few months."
Dudley smirked, "I don't have to start school for another whole week! I'll be sitting at home watching the Great Humberto while you'll be doing homework! Hahaahaa!" Dudley continued laughing until he choked on a strip of bacon and snorted.
"Right then" said Harry, "I'll just wait in my room until 11:00, the train leaves at noon."
Harry leapt up the stair, two-by-two, and flounced unto his bed. He felt under his pillow and pulled out a bundle of letters, all from his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. They were well-worn from being read at least one hundred times each. Harry missed them terribly, but he would be seeing them soon. He unfolded one of Ron's letters and read it again.
Dear Harry,
So how are you? Wasn't the quidditch world cup amazing?? I knew Ireland would win, Percy had to give me five galleons because he thought Scotland would! I can't wait to see you again, (Fred, George, and GINNY say they can't either) or Hermione, I hope she's lightened up a bit, I don't think I could bear another year with her homework supervision! Of course, I DID pass. Remember when we met at Diagon Alley? Well, I just thought of something, want to know what I saw while you were off buying parchment with Hermione? Draco Malfoy, and he had a GIRLFRIEND! Or at least he said he did. Her name is Icicle, and she's transfer student from another wizard school. I think she's just after his money, he had bought her loads of presents when I saw them. Strange isn't it? A girlfriend, I don't know what to expect this year!
See you soon!
Ron
Harry laughed out load, Malfoy had a girlfriend! That was funny.....Ron was right, this year would be strange! He reached under his pillow again and took out one of Hermione's letters, it was just as wrinkled, but not as smudged as Ron's.
Dear Harry,
How are you doing? I hope the muggles are treating you civily. I heard you went to the Quidditch World Cup with Ron, was that fun? I bet Ireland won, it seems quite logical. Did you read about Malfoy's girlfriend, I think that's preopsterous! I met the girl, Icicle, she's as cold as her name. I think he likes her because she's pretty. I've just finished memorizing the fifth new textbook we have this year. It's for potions, I do hope Snape won't be so grim this year. I don't know if I'll be able to scrape 100% on his exams this year, he hates giving me good grades, I think Dumbledore stops him from failing us! Hagrid sent me a few of his lesson plans, no more flobberworms! I think he's regained his confidence, hopefully Malfoy will be too distracted by his girlfriend to mess everything up for him!
Love from
Hermione
Harry looked at his clock again, 10:50 AM, he decided he'd better go now, the Dursley's would want to get rid of him as soon as possible!
By the time he got downstairs, his Uncle was already gunning the engine.
"Hurry up boy! I have to drop something off at the office when I'm done with you , I won't be late!"
He scrambled in, and was silent the whole way to King's Cross. Without so much as a goodbye, he leapt out of the car and ran towards platforms 9 and 10. At a break-neck run, he ran through the barrier and onto the train. He saw Hermione and Ron were already on the train, and had saved him a compartment.
Chapter two: Oblivious Reunion
"Harry, Harry!" Hermione cried, and rushed up to him. "There you are!" Shouted Ron, who pulled him into the compartment.
"Oh Harry!" Hermione continued, "we were worried you might be late, or the muggles wouldn't let you come!" A smile touched her lips. "I can't wait for the year to begin! I studied ever so hard...and well, " she sighed. "I missed Hogwarts do much."
"Studied??" Broke in Ron increduously, "It was summer for goodness sake..a break! But-" He smiled enthusiastically, "you're right, our fourth year will be awesome."
They flounced back onto the cushions and began to talk cheerfully. None of them knew just how much they had missed eachother....no one. Not even themselves. Especially Ron and Hermione.
Hermione, although she didn't know how, had come to have a crush on Harry, no, not a crush, more than that. She had had a crush on Ron in the beginning of their third year, but crushes never last. Ron, too had developed stronger feelings...toward Hermione. To this, Harry was completly oblivous, he was usually rather foggy when it came to romance, after he'd seen Cho, he's thought he had liked her. Over the summer he discovered he didn't. So whatever hints Hermione or Ron gave out, Harry was utterly in the dark.
When they were about halfway to Hogwarts, their compartment door opened with a bang and four people stepped in. Harry glared, it was was Draco Malfoy, his complete and total rival, along with his witless goons Crabbe and Goyle, who stared sullenly around the train, searching for sweets. This year however, there was an addition to their party. A long, graceful white arm was draped across Malfoy's shoulder. It belonged to a girl with long Raven black hair and deep blue eyes.
"Why look! It's Potty, Weasel, and Gangley, aren't we lucky!" Malfoy smirked, "Although me to introduce my friend here, her name is Icicle Yestace, she transferred here from Merlin's Acadamy of Magic over the summer."
Harry couldn't deny it, she was pretty, but he noticed with a smirk that Hermione was right about her being after his money, she didn't seem to enjoy being with Malfoy.
"Hello," she drawled in a confident voice, "I'm...errr... very pleased to meet you, I suppose." she turned to Malfoy and whined, "Where are those cauldron cakes you promised me???" he quickly ran out to get them. "And don't forget...no chocolate! It's bad for my pores!!!!" she called after him, and ran out the door.
"Well...that was interesting." Ron said, "At least he didn't try to beat us up, eh?"
The rest of the ride was uneventful besides some visits from Neville, Fred and George, and Ginny and Colin, who were now a couple, and to Harry's infinite delight, paid more attention to themselves than him.
Chapter three: Beauty is truth..truth is beauty
When they arrived Harry quickly separated himself from Hermione and Ron, who were being embraced heartilly by Hagrid, to head upstairs. He had just recieved a letter from Sirius, and wanted to write back. It had merely stated that he and Buckbeak were doing well, and that he wanted to wish Harry good luck. Still, Harry always replyed, and was very close to his father's best friend. He ascended the stairs and entered his dorm room, which now read: "Fourth Year Boys." Throwing open the door he walked over to a desk and picked up a pot of ink and a quill. He got as far as "dear Sirius," when he heard a voice.
"Oh...why hello, I didn't hear you enter." a musical, whispery voice said.
He spun around and found himself face to face with a girl.
"H-Hi..." he said weakly.
She strode gracefully forward and extended a white hand with long fingers, "My name is Arlise, and you are???"
Harry was dumbstruck, this girl was beautiful..... and he was quite aware of it. Her hair was a flame gold, and her haunting blue-green eyes resembled an ocean. Realizing she expected him to answer, he spoke. "Hello Arlise, my name is Harry, Harry Potter."
To his surprise, her expression didn't change when she heard his name, she didn't rush forward to shake his hand again, in fact, she seemed to think it just another name. "Why hello Harry, Harry Potter." she giggled, "Is this your dorm? I suppose you'll want to know why I'm here, Because I am a fourth year...and I've certainly never attended Hogwarts before.... sit down... it's a long story." she gestured to the window seat and sat down beside him.
"You might have noticed Harry, I didn't tell you my last name, the reason is because I don't have one, at least not one I know of. The only thing I remember from my childhood is the fact that my mother was a powerful witch, a...." she paused, then continued painfully, "a disciple of Voldemort" she gasped, "Oh I'm sorry...You-know-who," "It's okay!" he assured her"I...I've met him." She looked surprised, but went on, "Well, he said loved her, she was half-nymph you see, and was very pretty, I've got a quarter of it in myself.."
She flicked back her sleeve to reveil a small birthmark in the shape of a rose,
"Anyway...he wanted her to join his court," Arlise shuddered, "I was down for the list too, I'm glad I got away...When my father discovered this, he was killed, and I was given to an evil old warlock who became my tutor. He only excepted a few, and was brilliant. I expect he chose me because I'm an enchantress. Anyway, he was old, and died, and....." she stopped again, "That's when my memory stopped, all I know is that I was found in the forest out there, "she pointed to the forbidden forest, "A man named Dumbledore brought me to Hogwarts and that's where I've spent...oh, about a month. I was tested, and Professor Mcgonnagal put me in my fourth year, which is good, I'm fourteen." He smiled, "Me too! We'll be in the same year, are you in Gryffindor?" She shrugged, "Not sure, I'm being sorted tonight at the feast," she stared out across the lake, her eyes reflected in the sunset. "We'd better go there in fact, the sorting will start soon.
Lightly, she got up and headed down to the Great Hall, he followed, confused... she turned back to him. "You know, I tell everyone my story, I don't want rumors to be spread." "Well then, " he replyed, 'I suppose I should tell you mine." So by the time they had reached the Great Hall, she was looking at him with a new respect.
Chapter four: Fallen Angel
"Hey Ron!" Harry called, and sat down, "Look, see that new girl over, her names Arlise and-" but he couldn't finish, because Ron interrupted him, "D-did you meet her? She's gorgeous, even prettier than Icicle!" Harry smiled, "Yes, I did meet her, and she's a lot nicer than her as well. I can't wait to see if she gets into Gryffindor!" He turned to Hermione, "Did you meet the new girl yet?" She turned and said "No." sharply, Harry soon saw why, ALL the boys were paying attention to Icicle and Arlise, and the other girls were jealous. He almost laughed out loud, the only thing that stopped him was Dumbledore's voice.
"And now that we've finished the first year sorting, I have a bit of a surprise for you," he gestured to Arlise and Icicle, who stepped up to the platform confidently. "These young ladies names are Icicle Yestace and Arlise, they will begin in their fourth year. Icicle has transferred from Merlin's academy of Witch's, Arlise has come from...." he paused, "from a private school in Albania, they are to be sorted, please treat them civily."
Icicle stepped up to the platform, sat on the stool and folded her legs. A few seconds after the hat had been put on her head, it yelled "SLYTHERIN!!!!" And that table erupted, with malfoy cheering the loudest, the other house boys looked sullen.
As soon as Arlise put the hat on her head, Harry crossed his fingers and whispered 'Gryffindor over and over in his head, 'please' he thought, 'please'! Soon the hat had decided, "GRYFFINDOR!!!!!" Arlise ran over cheerfully and sat down amid a din of applause of cheers. The Weasley twins ran to sit next to her and after they talked for a few seconds, she gave them something and they rushed over to Ron happily. "Ron, Harry!" they exclaimed, 'Look, Arlise has been living in Hogwarts for a month, and she's found ALL the secrets and passageways, and one we hadn't found before!!! See, she even gave us the key!" said Fred excitedly. "Fred, "George continued," We should take her on as an apprentice!" While Fred, George, and Ron chatted eagerly, Arlise walked over to Harry, "Hi Harry!" she said brightly, "I'm so glad I'm in this house!"
After everyone else was fast asleep, Harry lay awake in his room. Almost everbody thought Arlise was wonderful, even Hermione, who had had a conversation with her, and found Arlise to be quite the scholar. But Harry liked Arlise more than anyone else, he didn't no why, maybe it was because she was pretty, maybe it was becuase she was clever, or maybe it was because of her spirit, He didn't know. She was different from anyone he had ever met...and he fell asleep thinking about her.
Chapter five: Isn't it Ironic?
Arlise tossed in her bed, unable to sleep despite the warm satin sheets...sheets a lot more comfortable than she had had in a while. The Forbidden Forest had been less than welcoming, but she had found a small troup of Nymphs, faries, and unicorns who accepted her. She had a natural gift for animals, so even the centaurs admired her, she had a knack for star-gazing.
She sat up and sighed, everyone was so nice here...especially Harry, oh why Harry? If he had been awful to her she could've beared it...but no! She glared with spite at the thought of her mother...her own mother. She stood up and walked to the window, in her description of her life she hadn't included the whole truth about her real mother...or her fathers death...Well, she called him her father, he was in law........but Voldemort, that rat, was her real father, and that's why her father was killed, and later her mother, when she had failed to be successful in one of Voldemort's evil plans. But...before she died, Harry had defeated voldemort (she had known he was special when she heard his name, but was clever enough to keep quiet) and her mother had been so angry she had turned on her own child, Arlise...and cast a curse. If she was ever to come in contact with Harry Potter she would do everything in her power to bring about his downfall...and she knew she had the ability to do so. Silent tears dropping on the floor, Arlise reached up to her neck with her long fingers and tried to tear desperately at the amulet around her neck, a hollow pearl containing a dragon's tear, it held fast...like a chain...a chain that imprisoned her.
Arlise never showed her pain. The next day she was as cheerful and spirited as ever. She was the first up in her dorm, she never slept in, so when Hermione woke up, she was already dressed and finishing an essay for Potions.
Chapter six: An ally in an enemy
"Don't you ever sleep?" Hermione asked groggily.
Arlise smiled, "Of course I do, I'm just an early riser, that's all."
Hermione stretched and walked over to Arlise's desk, examining her work. She didn't conceal her surprise,
"Finally! Someone else with readable handwriting! You'll have to help me with Harry and Ron." Hermione exclaimed with a smile. "C'mon, let's go downstairs for breakfast, I'll be your tour guide today!" She finished with a giggle.
With a flourish, Arlise rolled up her parchment and stuck it in her bag. "Thanks Hermione!" She said gratefully, "I'll probably need it!"
"Morning Harry! G'morning Ron!" Hermione called as she sat down to breakfast, Arlise across from her.
"Morning..." Ron mumbled, he had never been much of a early bird.
"Arlise! " Harry exclaimed, basically ignoring Hermione, "How did you sleep???"
"Fine...Everything about this place is wonderful!" She answered, and pulled out her schedule.
At this Hermione perked up, and drew out her own, "Let's see, first we have charms....then History of magic...then YOU have divinidation, I have arithmancy, ugh, Potions..." She said, her expression full of disgust. "You'd think they'd let us skip it..."
"What's so awful about potions?" Arlise asked.
"Oh it's not potions," broke in Ron, "it's the professor...Snape."
"He hates all of us, probably won't like you either...after all, you have a heart." Harry said, with a slight smile.
"Look!" Arlise cried suddenly. "After potions is Transfiguration, then Care of Magical creatures...then defense against the dark arts, then Quidditch try-outs!!!! i've always wanted to play...maybe I'll get on the team!!"
"That's right," said Harry, "Alicia Spinnet quit, so we an open space, a LOT of people with be trying for that, you'll have to be very good to get on. I'm seeker."
"Seeker?? Really? That's kewl, you must be great." Replied Arlise.
'Flirt', thought Hermione, suddenly she spoke, "What are your extra classes??? I have Care of magical Creatures, Arithmancy, and study of ancient runes."
"Arithmancy?? urgh, I've always hated numbers, do they really have a point? I have Care of Magical Creatures, divindation, and study of Ancient Runes."
At this Harry and Ron perked up, "Finally! Someone else taking divindation...or at least, someone who will probably have the brains to ignore Trelawny's rambles..."
"I hated that class!" Hermione broke in, "That's probably why I quit..."
Arlise smiled and picked up books, "Really? I think I'll enjoy that class, unless either of you two planning on quitting any time soon, you'd better not desert me!" She said and pointed to Harry and Ron, laughing.
"Don't worry Arlise..." Harry murmured, "We won't..."
Chapter seven: Pressed against the tide
'Gosh, Arlise is pretty...' Ron thought distractedly as they made their way up to the North Tower. 'She isn't a snob either, that's a relief, I wonder how she'll be in class...' Ron chuckled to himself, 'Harry'll probably flunk for the day, I wonder if Arlise has noticed he likes her?'
"Why does this teacher have class up here?" Arlise broke into Ron's thoughts as she ascended the ladder. "It's a bother! I mean, what kind of teacher......" She trailed off.
"Ne-ver Mind." She continued in a sing-song voice, "I think I've figured it out."
Ron laughed, Arlise had gotten her first look at Professor Trelawny, she looked, if possible, even more insane than last year.
"joy." Harry groaned, "Just as insane!"
"Well maybe not insane...." Arlise broke in, she cocked her head, "Wait, I stand corrected, I guess that is a good way to put it."
"Children! Sit down please, and we shall begin." Sybil Trelawny's eerie voice halted their conversation, and they seated themselves in several rather squashy armchairs around a table.
"Today...we shall continue in our study of the Divine arts, beginning with Tarot Cards, I happen to know that on the 14th of november we shall switch...to avoid planet alignment. At each table lies a deck, feel it's Aura calling to you??? Yes of course you do, I sense one of you could be a seer!"
Ron snorted, Parvati glared, Lavender giggled...she had a crush on Ron.
Trelawnly glared, and narrowed her slited eyes, "Fine! To demonstrate...I will choose one of you to choose random cards...hmmmmm."
Parvati and Lavender nearly fell out of their poufs by waving, and Seamus eagerly raised his hand too....Neville shrank back in horror, Harry gazed off in another direction, Ron rubbed off a smudge of dirt on his nose, and Arlise fiddled with her red-gold hair.
"Let me see, I feel one of your spirit's calling to me....Ahh yes, the new girl, Arlise is it, you will do nicely! But as you come up, Try not to step on that particular crack...Bad luck you know."
Carefully hiding her dismay, and flicking Ron's nose at his snide comment, "AAAHH! Don't step on it!" Spoken in a sarcastic whisper, Arlise stood up and walked toward her desk.
"Now then dear, before I begin let me warn you...these cards are always correct...I should know! I have predicted many things with them...oh dear, I see we will only be doing this unit for a month, due to planet alignment, ah well. Please choose four cards."
Arlise smiled slightly, and gracefully drew four different cards out of the pack, Professor Trelawney gestured for her to sit down, which she did gratefully.
"Let me see...the first card is...oh..hmmm, the rose, yes, a thing of great beauty and grace, that causes joy to the beholder, but pain to the one that tries to grasp it...a rose has thorns." trelawney stared suspiciously at Arlise as she turned over the next card, "An enchantress are you? Triple animagi I see...that proves it, the cards never lie!" She exclaimed loudly, holding up the enchantress card, the card that stood for intelligence, wit, beauty, and strength.
Arlise shifted uncomfortably in her seat, she hadn't wanted everyone to know, sure she liked her powers, she could heal, create illusions, and transform into triple Animagi, a unicorn, a white wolf, and an ivory falcon. But some people didn't really trust her kind, they were rare after all, usually only three in a decade.
"The next card shows a nightengale in a cage, cursed are you dear?? Too bad...gift of sireny as well I see, no wonder." Not pausing, Trelawney grasped the last card with her willowly hand and flipped it over.
"Oh NO!! Oh you poor child...poor dear...THE DEATH CARD!!!" She shrieked, showing it to the class...every single person gasped and turned to Arlise, who was frowning openly.
'The death card??' Ron and Harry thought simultaneously, 'but that's the worst prediction possible...no, it can't be true, can it?'
Luckily, the bell rang just then and Arlise had time to rush out the doorway without everyone barraging her with questions.
"Arlise!!" Harry cried, chasing after her quickly, he grasped her hand, "Don't worry, I got something like that last year and you don't see me facing a death threat do you??"
However, if possible that statement just made Arlise more unhappy, for her blue green eyes flared with worry, turning the calm sea color into the shade of a stormy ocean.
"Do you think it matters to me Harry? I know that it's a bunch of nonsense...but OTHER people obviously don't," She stated, narrowing her eyes, "It doesn't get to me...fate doesn't exist, we create our own future!" she exclaimed defiantly and headed off toward Transfiguration.j
"Girls!" Ron remarked as he caught up to Harry, "Fickle, fickle, fickle."
