DISCLAIMER: I own nothing, but the plot and a few new characters. The rest I just borrow…
Summary: A new student enters Hogwarts as a 6th year after her mother disappears. While learning new spells she may unravel a secret. Is her mother's real name Perdita? Or Hermione? How is Snape involved?
"No."
"I realize the concept is rather er… original. However, it is a necessary step for your enrollment at Hogwarts, Miss Prince," said the Guidance Counselor, Mr. Tuttle.
"No." repeated Serena. "I am not wearing an old sock – excuse me – Sorting hat, on top of my head and letting it decide whom I room with. The concept is ridiculous!"
"Now, see here. It's tradition! And the Sorting Hat doesn't pick who you room with. It examines your personality and decides which House you will be best suited for. Plus," Mr. Tuttle added persuasively, "it only takes a few minutes!"
"Is this truly necessary?" Serena asked the severe looking woman sitting behind the Headmistress's desk.
"It is, Miss Prince," Minerva McGonagall replied. "You cannot be fully registered as a student of Hogwarts until you complete this action."
Serena sighed. "Very well."
Professor McGonagall rose from her chair and gently plucked a warn old hat off her desk and dropped it on Serena's head.
Silence…. Serena tapped the arms of her chair impatiently.
"Hm… Peculiar mind you have…" said a voice inside her head. Serena jumped. "Yes, rather brave. You've survived many ordeals including one rather recently with your mother's disappearance. Ah yes… and you're a new student in your sixth year. You, of course, want to prove yourself to your peers... But where to put you..?"
'You don't know?' Serena questioned, alarmed.
"Knowing… yes, rather important to you. Just as learning is… Very well… then it must be…'
"RAVENCLAW!"
Professor McGonagall tugged the hat off and returned to her desk. She then selected a quill and scrolled down a few words before glancing back at Serena. "Now everything else should be in order. You'll want to review your textbooks but your pre-entrance tests results were…" she pulled out a large scroll and her eyes widened. "Rather impressive. Miss Prince, what school was it that you previously attended?"
"None," replied Serena.
"Serena Prince was home-schooled by her mother," explained the counselor. "She had numerous offers of acceptance to schools in France and other countries but her mother preferred to teach her herself. Miss Prince's mother, Perdita Prince, was an exceptional witch."
"Indeed," said McGonagall. "And what inspired you to turn to Hogwarts?"
"It was in her will." Serena shrugged.
"Miss Prince's mother requested that, should anything happen to her, Serena would be enrolled in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It was rather odd, considering Miss Prince had never previously heard of Hogwarts… Nevertheless, seeing Miss Prince's test results I'm sure you will agree that she will succeed here."
"Her success is not in-question, I merely want to ensure you will be happy and willing to attend Hogwarts, Miss Prince." Minerva held up her hand to silence the counselor. He glanced nervously at Serena.
"My mother obviously had some reason for wanting me to attend this school." Serena paused, "And until I understand why, I'm willing to attend Hogwarts."
McGonagall sighed, "Very well, Miss Prince. Most students are currently finishing their last class before the weekend. Classes will resume again on Monday. We're two weeks into the school year but with your exceptional scores I don't think it will be difficult to catch-up. I will speak to all your teachers and explain your circumstances. Do you have any questions?"
"May I go?"
"Hm… yes. I'll have Professor Flitwick escort you to your new courters. He is your Head of House. In fact," McGonagall turned to look at a portrait of a woman, "Elowine, will you inform Professor Flitwick he has a new student and that she will be waiting for him at the entrance to my office?"
"Yes, Headmistress." The woman in the portrait responded and walked out of the frame. Even though Serena was a witch's daughter, she still was a bit surprised by some magical objects. At home they had lived in a Muggle area and acted like Muggles with some magical exceptions. Serena's mother, Perdita Prince, kept a few faded Muggle photographs of Serena's grandparents and a few magical photographs of Serena as a child. Even now Serena wished she could have saved more of the photographs but after what little remained of their house…
"Now, Miss Prince," McGonagall continued. "If you'll kindly wait at the bottom of the stairs by the gargoyle near the door, Professor Flitwick will be with you shortly."
Serena nodded.
"Mr. Tuttle, if you'll wait just a bit longer we'll discuss Serena's future plans."
Without another word, Serena exited the room and descended the stairs.
"-and here is your schedule and a map of the school," said Professor Flitwick as he handed her several parchments. "Feel free to explore and become familiar with Hogwarts. Razuna Zerlynn and Arlito Winthron are Ravenclaw's Sixth Year Prefects. Either one would be more than willing to show you around. You may also ask them any questions you may have. Your Professors will also help you with any problems that arise. Is there anything else I can help you with, Miss Prince?"
"No, thanks. I think I can manage." She smoothed her dark black hair.
"Ah!" squeaked Professor Flitwick. "We're here. Now each time to gain entrance to your Dormitory you'll need to correctly answer the riddle."
"Riddle?"
"Use than handle to knock."
Serena glanced at the wooden door in front of her. There was no doorknob. Just an eagle doorknocker.
Slowly, she extended her hand and knocked.
The beak of the eagle doorknocker opened and a musical voice asked, "Is a boy the same person today, as he was yesterday? Is an old man the same person he was when he was a baby?"
"What?"
"Guess, Miss Prince!" squealed Professor Flitwick. "Ravenclaw's are always in search of an answer."
"Er…no and yes. It's like a circle. They're both on different parts of the circle but it inevitably follows the same route, I suppose. Provided nothing alters their paths."
"Decent reasoning," replied the door and Serena was admitted.
The Ravenclaw Common Room was very airy. There were large windows and stars on both the floor and ceiling. Rich blues and browns decorated the circular room. Serena glanced around a few seconds longer before she followed Professor Flitwick's directions to her room.
The bedroom was filled with several beds and blue drapes by the window. A trunk lay at the base of each of the five beds, yet it was the series of moving photographs on the wall that marked the existence of other students residing in the room.
Serena sat on her bed and wondered what her roommates would be like. She traced her finger over the top of her trunk and wondered if she should change into her school uniform. 'Well, I haven't officially started classes yet… maybe I'll wait before wearing the uniform.'
Sliding off the bed, Serena crossed the room and stopped in front of the mirror. A pale teenager with magically straightened black hair and dark eyes stared back at her. She fiddled with her grey t-shirt and stuck her wand back into her the pocket of her jeans. She turned around and snatched her black cloak off the bed before exiting the room.
Serena gasped when she entered the library. It was piled with books of every size and color. Her mother's collection of books was rather impressive but this library seemed to cover all topics and even had books that spoke or made strange noises. After wandering for a while, Serena selected a large pile of books and deposited it on top of the nearest table and began reading. The first book was about unspoken spells. She was thoroughly enjoying it when she paused. Her comfortable black cloak was making her exceedingly hot. So, she set her book down and quickly removed it before returning to her reading.
"Twenty points for failing to be appropriately dressed in your school uniform during school hours and skipping class," snapped a voice behind her.
Serena turned around to face a scowling man in dark black robes.
"What?" she asked, confused.
"Who are you?" he demanded. "Only Students of Hogwarts are permitted in the library."
"I'm Serena Prince," she said and she noticed that his eyes widened slightly. "I'm a new student."
"And what year are you in… Miss Prince?"
"My Sixth… and Professor McGonagall said I was not to start classes until Monday so it seems unreasonable to take points away for that."
"Fine," he snapped. "Take ten points back. You're still not appropriately dressed for school hours."
"But, I've just arrived! And I have no classes today! And no one told me we were required to wear uniforms when not in class." Serena protested.
"Very well," he growled. "Take the rest of your points. But consider yourself warned, Miss Prince. You are not to skip any future classes." With that, he spun around and was gone.
"Vile man, isn't he?"
"What?" Serena asked.
A tall blonde-haired girl sat next to her. "That's Professor Snape. He teaches Potions."
"Oh." Serena responded intelligently.
"I'm Julia Winthrop, and I think you said your name was Serena?"
"Er… yes."
"Nice to meet you, Serena. So what house are you in?"
"Ravenclaw. What about you?"
"Gryffindor. My twin brother's in Ravenclaw though, he's a prefect."
"Arlito." Serena remembered, "Arlito's your brother right? Professor Flitwick told me about him.
"Yes, that's him. Bit of a tosspot sometimes but that's him. Have you met him?"
"No."
"Hm… I'll introduce you later, but I'm sure you'll have classes together. Ah! Devon! Come over here."
A boy with dark black hair and eyes walked over.
"Devon, this is Serena Prince," said Julia, "Serena, this is Devon Zabini."
"Nice to meet you," said Devon.
"You too," replied Serena.
"So where are you from, Serena?"
"Er…well, I moved around a lot. I lived in France for awhile, Germany, and then England."
"Wow," gasped Julia. "My mum and dad and I have lived in the same house since Arlo and I were born. What was it like in France and Germany?"
"Er… good I guess. My mum and I saw lots of museums and historical places. I liked them."
"That sounds amazing. So interested in history, I take it?"
"Er… yes. I've always been a bit of a history fan."
"Well, you're going to hate History of Magic. Isn't she Devon?"
"Or hate Professor Binns, more like it." Devon responded, not taking his eyes off Julia.
"Why?" asked Serena.
"Oh, well Professor Binns is a ghost and let's just say his classes are used more for… er… sleeping than learning." Julia shrugged.
"Yeah, his classes are dull." Devon agreed.
"How are the other classes?" questioned Serena.
"Well, Transfigurations pretty descent, although McGonagall is pretty stern. Flitwick's class is always fun. Herbology can be a bit of a bore but some of the plants are pretty interesting. Potions with Snape is a nightmare and – "
"Hang on, Julia." Devon interrupted, "You only say that because of Professor Snape."
"Well, he's a git Devon. He already tried to take twenty points from Serena and she hasn't even been a student for a full day!"
"Don't influence Serena with your bias," replied Devon. "He can be really helpful. It's only because you're a Gryffindor, Julia."
"And I suppose you only say that because you're in Slytherin, Devon." Julia retorted.
"You're in Slytherin?" asked Serena, shocked. "But I thought it was not characteristic of Gryffindors and Slytherins to be friends? All the books I read – "
"No," replied Julia. "It's not 'characteristic'. No wonder you're in Ravenclaw. But I think it's stupid we have to befriend certain people. I'll do as I please regardless of the consequences."
"Yes," said Devon. "Julia's not afraid to act how she wants. We do, however, act with some discretion. With war breaking out around us we have to be careful whom we're seen with. Julia and I often spend time together because we're partners in Potions and Charms so we often have a lot of work to do together." He gave a faint smile and glanced at Julia.
"Well, speaking of work, we'll need to get a move on that potions essay this weekend. I can't believe he wants it to be five feet!"
Devon chuckled. "We can come back and grab some books after dinner."
"Oh!" cried Julia and jumped up from her seat. "Dinner. We should head down to the Great Hall. I can introduce you to my brother."
"Arlito?"
"Yes, Arlo." Julia grabbed Devon's arm and reached for Serena's.
"Oh, I think I'lll…er… pass. Not hungry right now." 'And I don't want to deal with an entire room of students I don't know, asking me stupid questions'.
"Are you sure?" Julia asked as she scrutinized Serena.
"Positive, I should probably return to my dormitory anyway and unpack. See you." Serena waved over her shoulder and dashed out of the library before Julia could protest.
'I'll need to return to the library tomorrow,' Serena thought. 'Mum, why did you want me to come here? There has to be a reason. I just know it. The answer MUST be in that library…' On that thought, Serena returned to her dormitory and had just enough time to pretend to be asleep when her new roommates entered the room after dinner.
Please Review! I'll post more in a few days if anyone's interested. Thanks for taking the time to read this.