Author: Tigergirl
Rated: PG / PG-13
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. If I did, do you really think I'd be sitting in front of my computer writing fan fics all summer? I do own Tala and her family though.
Summary: Harry's sixth year at Hogwarts brings new surprises, new professors, new discoveries, and new friends. What happens when one of Harry's new friends is a type of person he's never encountered before? Follow along as he learns that no witch or wizard is perfect.
Chapter 1 - Ignoring the Gryffindor?
An argument always occurred between Ron and Hermione some how. Whether it was over the house elves working at Hogwarts or something as small as Ron saying a mean thing about Malfoy.
"How could you, Ron!" screeched Hermione."You promised that you would bring it!"
"I know I promised. But when I was packing my bag Fred and George popped in so while I was talking with them I must have missed putting it in my trunk," explained Ron.
"No excuses, Ron!" yelled Hermione.
Harry who was sitting quietly shook his head. The Hogwarts Express had barely left the station and his two friends were already going at it. From what he could gather, Hermione had given Ron something and he forgotten said item.
"Hermione, I heard you were made a prefect again," piped up Harry.
She whipped around with a friendly smile, her prefect badge sparkling with the light from the window.
"Yes. Ron is one too," said Hermione.
"I heard that Dumbledore made Malfoy a prefect again as well," put in Ron.
The Gryffindor trio groaned. There was nothing worse than a Malfoy as a prefect except a Malfoy with power which is what the blonde Slytherin would be if he was made Head Boy next year.
"Listen to this. Hogwarts is getting a new transfer student," reported Hermione.
"Really? Got any information on him, Hermy?" inquired Ron.
Hermione cringed at the nickname but answered her red headed friend anyway.
"All I know is that she is from Pine View," answered Hermione.
"As in Pine View of Gifted Witchcraft and Wizardry? That's the top rank wizarding school in the whole wizarding community! I mean those students would have to be twice as smart as Hermione to attend," exclaimed Ron.
"Thanks a bunch, Ron," murmured Hermione.
"So how did you find out about the transfer student?" asked Harry.
"Professor Dumbledore sent me a special message over the summer. He wants to help her get acquainted to Hogwarts. That's how I know," replied Hermione.
Before the train came to the bridge, the two Gryffindors were at it again. Harry was glancing around the compartment as they argued when he spotted someone walk past the compartment. It was a student he had never seen before. Her long black hair falling around her face and her blue eyes sparkling. It was then that he saw the words Pine View School of Gifted Witchcraft and Wizardry on it. Under those words was the word Serpent in bright green letters.
"I think that transfer student just passed our compartment," spoke up Harry.
The two Gryffindors stopped arguing and Hermione opened the compartment door. Sure enough, walking away from their compartment was the girl Harry had seen.
"I think it is her. Hey!" called Hermione.
The girl didn't react to Hermione's shout or even acknowledge as she entered a compartment. Confused, the Gryffindor girl closed the compartment and sat down.
"I don't get it. She didn't even turn around when I yelled," mumbled Hermione.
"Maybe she didn't hear you," suggested Ron.
"I'm quite sure she heard me, Ron. I was loud enough for the conductor to hear me," angrily growled Hermione.
Before Harry could blink, his two friends were going at each other's throats again. He sighed and looked out the window.
Only twenty more minutes. I can survive as long as I don't say anything and Malfoy doesn't show up, thought Harry.
"Well, if it isn't the Potty, Weasel and Mudblood," drawled a familiar voice,
I can just see it's going to be one of those days, groaned Harry in his mind.
"Hagrid!"
The large man turned from helping a first year into a boat and saw a young lady about the age of 20 run up to him with what looked like a sixth year behind her.
"Why if it isn't Miss Michelle Hunter! What ya doing back at Hogwarts so soon?" asked Hagrid.
"I'm here to help Madame Hooch for a few days and to help my sister get acquainted here. She's being transferred from Pine View this year," explained the young lady.
"Ah. So your Michelle's younger sister. Name's Hagrid and I'm your Care of Magical Creatures professor," said Hagrid as he held out his hand for her to shake.
The girl took it and smiled at him. It was then that Hagrid noticed that Michelle was holding a broom.
"Planning on flying to Hogwarts, eh Michelle?" jokingly laughed Hagrid.
"Actually, I was. We need to talk to Professor Dumbledore before the Sorting Ceremony and this is the fastest way."
Hagrid laughed joyfully as he climbed into a boat.
"I suppose you're right. You are indeed one of the fastest flyers I've ever seen. Well, I guess I'll see you two later," replied Hagrid as the boats started moving.
Michelle mounted the broom and then her sister got on behind her.
"Bye, Hagrid!" called Michelle.
Both girls pushed off from the ground and flew up into the air. They flew over Hogsmeade and passed over the carriages carrying the other students. The two sisters landed in front of the entranceway and went inside after Michelle conjured the broom into a necklace which she put around her neck. The two walked inside and up the stairs toward the Headmaster's office. As they rounded a corner, they ran into Professor Dumbledore; literally.
"Hello, Professor Dumbledore. We were just coming to look for you," said Michelle.
"It's nice to see you back in the Hogwarts halls, Michelle. And who is this young lady with
you?" asked the Headmaster with a smile.
"This is my sister, Tala. Tala, this is Headmaster Dumbledore," introduced Michelle.
Tala smiled and then started making weird signs with her hands as she spoke.
"It is very nice to meet you," said Tala.
Professor Dumbledore's smile was warm and inviting as he made some signs back to her when he spoke.
"It's nice to meet you as well, Tala. I have heard great things about you from Michelle," replied Professor Dumbledore.
"How do you know how to speak sign language?" asked Michelle, voicing her and her sister's question.
"My grandma was deaf so I learned how to speak sign language from her. Once you get the hang of it, it becomes very easy. Since you did not tell me, I can say that you have not told your professors yet, have you Tala?" questioned Professor Dumbledore.
"No. I want my professors to find out for themselves. If I tell them, some of them will pity me. I don't like it when people pity me. Being deaf is not as bad as some people think," replied Tala.
"Very wise words, Tala. Well, you two best be getting off to the Great Hall. The Sorting Ceremony shall start soon and it won't be good if Tala misses her name," reported Professor Dumbledore.
They all walked to the Great Hall together and split apart, Dumbledore going through a separate door. Tala grabbed Michelle's arm and pulled her away from the doors before they went through.
"What did you want to talk to Dumbledore about?"
"I didn't know if he remembered you were deaf so I wanted to ask him but it's obvious that he does remember. Now we better get in before all the first year's are sorted."
They quietly entered the Great Hall as no one paid attention to the two sister's who made their way over to the first years. They stood up front and were just in time to hear the end of the Sorting Hat's song.
New secrets to be revealed
A gift within a chosen one
Don't worry your little head
For I know which one it is
Now put me on
And see where your destiny lies
Michelle and Tala shared a glance, both wondering what they had missed. Professor McGonagall took out a long scroll of paper and began the reading of names.
"Aberms, Keith!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Acara, Devon!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Berten, Samantha!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
The Gryffindor table roared with applause as their new first year sat down at the end of the table.
"Besa, Laura!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Binks, Azure!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
The Slytherins cheered loudly for their newest Slytherin.
"Cane, Victoria!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
Two more were placed in Gryffindor and Slytherin with one more in Hufflepuff. A shy girl,"Fergus, Terra!", took a while before she was placed in Ravenclaw.
"Garson, Luke!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Garth, Anna!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Hanson, Bradley!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Sixth year! Hunter, Tala!"
The whole Great Hall grew silent as Tala walked up to the stool and sat down. Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on her head and for once, Tala could hear.
"Hello, dear child. It's nice to see you have finally come. I've been waiting for you to arrive at Hogwarts. Now where should I place you? I can see your patient but don't quite have the patience of a Hufflepuff. Very smart, indeed. You have a kind soul, yes, I see that. Then it's no question as to where you shall go. Enjoy your time in GRYFFINDOR!"
Tala smiled as she stood up and Michelle led her to the Gryffindor table. They sat down in two seats in the middle where the Gryffindor's had made room for them. The Sorting Ceremony went on from there with the last student going into Ravenclaw. Professor Dumbledore stood up and you could hear a pin drop in the Great Hall.
"Its nice to see new and old faces this year. I'd like to remind you all that the Forbidden Forest is just as it says; forbidden. On a lighter note, Professor Elizabeth Maflock has agreed to be our Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
A tall woman with a look to kill on her face stood up and nodded her head at the applause before sitting back down. All in all, she was creeping out even the seventh years.
"With that said, bon appetite."
Food appeared and everyone dug in. Hermione paused in her eating to look up at Tala who sat across from her.
"Didn't you hear me earlier on the train? I shouted Hey but you didn't even flinch," said Hermione.
Tala bowed her head and Michelle answered for her.
"Hermione, right? Thought so. I guess you're the one that's going to help Tala around. Well, you may have a small problem," spoke up Michelle.
"Wo da ou?" asked Ron as he ate a piece of chicken.
"I'm Michelle Hunter, Tala's sister. I graduated from Hogwarts three years ago. I was in Ravenclaw," explained Tala.
"I remember you!" exclaimed Neville."You were the one flew around on her broom a lot. You were bloody fast."
"Thanks," muttered Michelle.
"So what type of problem were you talking about?" inquired Hermione.
"The problem is I'm deaf and I'm not sure how we would be able to communicate," said Tala.
The Gryffindors around her stared at her in awe. While talking, Tala had also spoken with her hands using sign language. Hermione looked defeated.
"I think that is going to be a problem. I don't know how to speak sign language and I've never met a deaf person before," confessed Hermione.
"I can help her get adjusted, Hermione. Me cousin Lauren is deaf and I learned sign language as a birthday surprise for her. I can understand it and speak it," reported Seamus.
Everyone stared at him speechless.
"What?" asked Seamus.
"You never gave me the impression that you knew how to speak sign language," said Hermione.
"That's because I'd do sign language when no one else was around. So what do you say Tala?" inquired Seamus.
"What I say is could you tell me your name first?" laughed Tala.
"Sorry! My name is Seamus Finnigan."
Dinner continued on with Gryffindors introducing themselves to Tala and Tala talking to Seamus through sign language. To Harry, it looked weird to see the two Gryffindors making signs with their hands in the silent language but it also fascinated him. He had known a deaf boy at the muggle school he went to before Hogwarts but had never talked to him before.
"Wonder where Snape is," thought out loud Michelle.
Harry glanced up at the staff table. The chair beside the new DADA professor was empty.
"Was he here at the beginning of the Sorting Ceremony?" asked Harry.
"No. Maybe he decided to skip dinner tonight," suggested Michelle.
End of Chapter 1