Chapter 1:
Flinging her raven black hair, she sighed as she looked upon the formidable castle in front of her. Silently she walked to the castle that was to be her home for a whole semester. She was new and didn't quite fit in, she knew that immediately. A foreigner, an outcast and she had yet to set foot in the castle.
" Welcome Miss De Leon to Hogwarts. I'm Professor McGonagall" Professor McGonagall said. " The headmaster is waiting for you in his office. This way if you please."
Walking next to the Professor, she felt excited and was smiling as she took in the inside of Hogwarts. The castle was old but sturdy, there were students about and they whispered as they walked by. Seeing she was dressed in muggle attire, in the light you could see her hair was highlighted by plum colored streaks and her dress just a little too short and screamed risqué .
" Strawberry drops" Professor McGonagall said in front of a gargoyle. " Up you go Miss De Leon, I do hope you get sorted into my house."
"Ahh, Miss De Leon. I do hope you're journey was a good one. I am Professor Dumbledore, you headmaster. Please do take a seat" he said and indicated to a chair.
He started telling her a brief history of Hogwarts and told her she had to be sorted. He took out a ragged looking hat and placed it on her head. Unconsciously she settled the hat on her head before it spoke.
" Another De Leon. Your sister was in Ravenclaw, an intelligent young girl but a tad bit shy. You my dear are also smart but have the courage your sister lacks." The hat said.
After a few moments of silence, the hat shouted
" Gryffindor"
" Very good Miss De Leon. Now your trunks shall be put in your room and later you shall be escorted to your common room. But now I believe it is time for dinner. Shall we?" Dumbledore said as he extended his hand that she willingly took.
Entering the main hall she was greeted with mix responses but mostly she was stared at and whispered about. Reaching the front of the hall, Dumbledore told her to stand next to him.
" Good evening everyone. Before we start our dinner, I would like to introduce you to our newest student to Hogwarts. This shall be her 7th year and will be taking her N.E. along with some of you. She has been sorted and is a full pledged Gryffindor, now may I present to you Miss Ariel De Leon."
This was met with thunderous applause from the Gryffindor table. As she sat down next to a girl with bushy brown hair, she smiled. This is going to be fun.
" Hi, my names Hermione, this is Harry, Ron, Ginny, Neville, Dean and Seamus" She introduced.
" My names Ariel but you can call me Elle for short" Ariel said and smiled warmly to the other occupants of the table.
Hermione started asking what classes she was taking and if she was related to Eva De Leon who had left school the previous year. Harry asked if she played Quidditch, which Ariel though was hilarious mainly to the fact that she hated sweating.
" Do you know anyone from Hogwarts?" Neville asked.
"Yeas, I do in fact. His name is Nicholas , he's in Ravenclaw. He's my cousin from my moms side." She answered.
" So give me the low down on Hogwarts" Ariel said
" Low down?" Ron asked
" Yah the 411" Ariel said clarifying herself. But Ron seemed more confused then before.
"She means what's going on. What's hot and What's not" Hermione said.
After a few minutes they told her everything they knew and how there was rivalry between the Slytherins and Gryffindors. Ariel liked rivalry since it was the nearest thing to a challenge.
" Oh, and if you ever need gossip to spread faster than fire just tell Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown." Harry drawled.
Ariel merely raised her eyebrows. This is getting more and more interesting. Gossip, rivalry and magic that's a killer combination.
As the Gryffindors were talking, their rivals were also speaking of the newcomer.
" Man, I wish she could have been a Slytherin! She's hot" Blaise said
" I don't think so. Who does she think she is strutting in here like she owns the place anyway?" Pansy replied
" Right now Pansy, not even you could spoil my fantasy. I mean her skirt is just a little too short for school and those eyes. What color are they? Deep is all I can say" Blaise said slyly
" Blue" was Draco's reply.
" You think she's hot too?" Pansy said pouting. Draco didn't answer her.
All talks turned to Quidditch as Montague told them of his new strategy and the raven-haired siren was temporarily forgotten
" Come on lets head back to our common room" Ginny announced.
As the group exited the hall, a pale blonde haired teen with striking steel gray eyes caught her interest. Before she could stare more openly, a black haired boy detached himself from the group that had the silvered haired prince.
" If you all would excuse me I think I'll introduce myself to the raven haired vixen." Blaise said
" Hello, my names Blaise Zabini. And if you ever need help with anything I would gladly help" he said and kissed the back of her hand.
Ariel was very surprised and didn't have time to reply as her friends escorted her to the common room.
" Slimy git" Ron said
" He's a Slytherin unless it slipped you're notice and that Zabini is not to be trusted" Harry advised
" But you have to admit he was acting like a gentlemen. You two could take a leaf from the Slytherins book on finesse." Hermione said.
" Girls" Ron and Harry said in unison while rolling their eyes.
Ariel knew now how it felt to have friends who cared for her well being and that warmed her insides and she couldn't stop the smile from showing.
The group introduced Ariel to the fat lady, who guarded the Gryffindor tower.
" Care to join us for a game of exploding snaps?" Ron asked.
" I'd love to, but I'm tired and don't want to be late for class tomorrow" Ariel replied ruefully.
If Ariel thought she was going to bed early, she was sorely mistaken. She shared her dormitory with the two crowning gossip and were constantly interrogating her about herself, interest, and guys. After an hour of grueling questioning Hermione saved her by telling them she was tired.
Smiling she settled herself in bed and readied herself for bed. And soon Ariel dreamt of the blonde Slytherin prince.