Disclaimer - Harry Potter and co. Belong to J.K. Rowling. I don't own anything but Daria and the twist.

A/N - This is an AU in which everything before 6th year is still the same but this year things are majorly different. In my world Hogwarts is laid out with Mountains in the North, the Forrest in the South, Plains to the East and the Lake to the West :) Hope that doesn't give too much away lol (Also, Slughorn was hired on as DADA teacher, not potions.)

Warning - Sexual situations, Language

'text' = thought

"text" = spoken

A/N I have updated what I had written in '10 and fixed a couple of facts that needed tweaking. I intend to update at least once a month but real life often gets in the way o no promises. I hope you enjoy!

The New Kid

The summer had started out normal-well, as normal as can be after last year that is. The Dursleys were worse than ever once they learned that they wouldn't be threatened by Sirus anymore. Luckily, Harry had been rescued from them early by Dumbledore. Granted it was only use Harry to convince an old, fat man called Slughorn to come and teach at Hogwarts. Harry had gotten to spend the rest of the summer with his friends at the burrow so he wasn't complaining. What he hadn't known at the time was he was being used as a pawn yet again, but recently he'd begun to realize that Dumbledore played chess a lot.

Harry looked up at the staff table. McGonagal was missing, presumably bringing the first-years up as Hagrid had just 'snuck' in and sat down and Dumbledore looked distracted, which was unusual.

"Harry... Harry?... Harry!" Startled, Harry looked up. Hermione looked as if she'd been trying to get his attention for a while. She gave him a look that he'd started to become familiar with the last couple of weeks. He'd been easily distracted by thoughts unlike those he'd ever had before, almost as if a new part of himself had suddenly woken up. He had wondered if his Magic was the cause of his wandering thoughts but he really had no way of finding out. Hermione repeated her question. "Do you suppose he's the new Defense teacher?" She gestured to Slughorn.

"He must be really good, Dumbledore and I had to practically beg him to come back."

"That's the bloke you told us about?" Ron interrupted.

"I don't recognise him," Hermione mused, her brain moving fast as light as usual.

At this point, McGonagal led the first years in, quieting any and all conversations as everyone craned to get a look at the newcomers: younger siblings or friends a year behind. However, this year there weren't just first years among them. A girl who had to be about Harry's own age followed at the end of the line, looking bored. She had long brown hair, looked unusually tall amongst the new First-years but was otherwise an unremarkable person. Then he met her eyes; a flash of silver and it was like staring into the eyes of an amazing beast. Fear flashed through him and he felt as if she could rip him to pieces in an instant-then she was looking away.

"Woah," he heard Ron whisper. "What was that?"

"What was what?" Hermione was curious. Harry wondered if he was remarking on the sight of the girl's eyes or if he had felt the wave of power emenate from her as he had.

They didn't get to speculate though as the Sorting Hat began his song.

Of students young and students old,

Willingly letting their minds be mold,

The individuals with unique thought,

Are the ones that Talent's brought.

They lead the way filled with power,

Heading into the final hour.

Though clear their minds with goal in sight,

With hearts of hope and souls alight,

This is the hour that makes or breaks,

Screams in the air and blood like lakes.

I don't envy what is to come,

But as for now you must be one.

Join together and don't be afraid,

These are the times when heroes are made.

Love your neighbor and forget bad pasts,

And you will find a good that lasts.

Find that peace in eleventh hour,

To unlock your greatest power.

Everyone was silent at the morbidity of the Hat's song, startled into applause by the Headmaster's slow clapping.

"Lakes of blood!" Ron exclaimed over the shocked applause. "What's it trying to do? Scare us to death before the battle even begins?"

Harry silently agreed that the song this year was decidedly depressing. He didn't think that it was meant to scare them though, as much as impress upon them the importance of how this year will affect them. He had felt that his end was nearer than he wished.

"Do you think the hat has divining powers?" Hermione mused. "It sounds to me like it knows something is coming soon. Think about it, literally calling this 'the eleventh hour'? That seems pretty prophetic to me."

Ron shared a look with Harry that said Isn't-this-the-girl-who-stormed-out-of-Trelawney's -Divination-class? She noticed he skepticism of course, but didn't say anything as the sorting itself had begun and the cheering would have drowned her words.

When there were only three students left to sort, including the older girl who had entered with them. Gryffindor had recieved 6 first years, Ravenclaws 5, Hufflepuff 4 and Slytherin 6. The last two students went to Gryffindor and Slytherin respectively to cheers from each house.

"Daria Evans," McGonagal called finally.

Harry was reminded of his own sorting, everyone stairing at him, whispering and no doubt taking wagers at which house he would be put. He felt a moment of sympathy for this unique student. She stepped up calmly however, ignoring the rumouring, and put the hat on her head. Though Harry knew it to be impossible, it seemed as though hours passed, in complete silence, before anything happened.

Harry thought back to when he saw her on the train, trying to remember anything that would give away what house she might be in. She had taken the compartment across from their's but Harry hadn't paid attention to her, she was just another student, sitting in silence reading a book. He supposed he should have picked up on the fact that she was alone but he had scarcely taken two looks at her before sliding the door to his own compartment closed.

He'd seen her again when the Lunch Trolly came buy. She'd bought a chocolate frog-or was it Berti Botts?-and gone back into her compartment and her book. He didn't even know what the book was titled. He wished he'd paid at least some attention, then he could have at least taken a guess at what house she'd be in. He found himself wanting to get to know her more, to actually start paying attention to these things. Harry realised that he was thinking strange thoughts again and almost physically shook himself. More and more, he was becoming aware of himself, his thoughts and his reactions to the things around him.

Refocusing on the woman under the Sorting Hat, he realised that nothing had changed. Daria remained still, eyes closed calmly as if she were sleeping on the beach. Finally, she opened her eyes but not in response to a shouted house name from the Hat. Instead, standing, she removed the Hat and walked up to Dumbledore.

"He'd like to speak with you," She presented it to Dumbledore as if handling a delicate weapon, tipping her head in a slightly odd sort of bow.

Dumbledore looked almost wary as she approached him but hid it so quickly that Harry thought he'd imagined the look. After what Harry got the impression was a very one-sided conversation, Dumbledore took off the hat, unceremoniously shoving into the crook of his arm.

He looked slightly annoyed yet portrayed himself as amused when he announced, "Well, well, students. it seems as if Miss Evans here is unable to be sorted. Apparently, she fits into every house. So," he clapped his hands, "Which house is willing to take her?"

There were murmured conversations at every table as no one seemed willing to take in this girl who didn't fit in anywhere. Daria seemed unconcerned for wherever she was placed, looking around at each table curiously. Harry found himself looking at her, really analyzing her this time. She was unremarkable at first glance but when he really looked for details she had a kind of power to her stance and a confidence about herself. There was a grace to her also that spoke of ancient traditions and age-old manners. She looked up at him as though she could sense his eyes on her, but there was no silver this time. In fact, she had hazel eyes, a golden brown flirting with a deep emerald that seemed somewhat familiar to Harry.

Harry found himself unconsciously raising his hand and standing. "We'll House her," he stated, silencing the hall once again. He looked at the faces of his house. Some seemed as alarmed as he was himself, others agreeing with his actions or either unconcerned. A few looked downright malicious towards him, but once Dumbledore awarded them twenty points they calmed slightly.

"The Bravery of Gryffindor being shown once more," Dumbledore commented with a twinkling smile. "Thank you Mister Potter," He turned to Daria, she had inaudibly gasped when she heard him announce Harry's name. Harry figured he was the only one who noticed it though as the rest of the hall was talking again, he dismissed it though as he was used to that kind of reaction from people once they learned who he was. Dumbledore murmured something to Daria and she nodded before walking to the Gryffindor table to sit.

Hermione surprised him when she waved the new girl over to them, scooting to make room next to her. "I'm Hermione Granger," she introduced, shaking her hand.

"Daria," she replied with a smooth, deep-but-feminine voice. She didn't say anything more as Dumbledore initiated the feast and everyone began to chow down.

"This is Harry, and this gentleman stuffing his face is Ron," Hermione continued, the tone of her voice showing her familiarity with the situation.

"Ron Weasly," was the attempted confirmation with mouth full, reaching to shake Daria's hand.

Daria turned and nodded to Harry but she didn't shake his had as she had the others', "Harry," she greeted, bowing her head in that unusual way again. Harry thought it strange but he didn't want to seem rude bringing it up, besides, he seemed to be the only one who had noticed so he dropped the thought. Instead, he began to fill his plate and eat.

"So," Hermione asked, politely, "Where are you from Daria?" Harry could tell she wasn't just making small talk, she was gathering information.

"I was schooled at home until recently. I only come here now because that's no longer an option," she answered. Harry noticed that she had avoided the question.

Apparently, so did Ron, "But where are you from?" He interrupted, mouth still full.

"I like to say I am from everywhere and nowhere," still avoiding the question. After a pause she added as a way of explanation, "I like to travel a lot." She smiled as if it were a personal joke.

"So that explains the accent," Ron supplied. She had a very proper accent; it was obviously English but not quite, she pronounced more of her "r's" like the Scottish, or American.

"Indeed," she replied, in a way that said that topic was dropped. After a bite of food she asked a question of her own. Harry felt she was doing a little digging for information. "Where are all of you from?"

"I live just outside Devon with my family," Ron answered without pause. "But Hermione is muggle born and lives with her parents somewhere outside of London."

"I live with my Aunt and Uncle in Surrey," Harry supplied.

"You don't seem very happy about that," Daria turned to him, concern in her voice.

"It's all right," he answered. "It's better than an orphanage."

"I lost my parents when I was young as well," She comforted, her eyes darkening.

Harry stayed silent, he preferred to not think about the Dursleys or what had landed him in that Hell-hole. "I'm sorry," he consoled in return. Changing the subject, he quickly supplied a safe topic of conversation, "Do you like sports?"

When Daria smiled in response, it was hard to not smile back. "I love sports." And with that, the rest of the feast went smoothly. Harry talked with her about Quidditch and how weather affected your flying, and Ron joined with his favorite Quidditch statistics and teams. Even Hermione joined in when they got around to how various spells used in broom-making affect the broom itself. By the time the feast was over they felt very comfortable with each other.

"We'll show you the way to the dorms," Hermione stood as the food cleared away.

"Thank you, but the Headmaster asked me to see him after the feast. I believe he is concerned about me not being sorted."

"Oh yeah," Ron quipped. "I forgot about that. I guess we'll see you up there?"

"We'll wait up for you," Harry suggested.

"There is no need," She smiled. "I believe that our conversation will not be brief." She turned to Hermione. "I understand that I will be staying with the rest of the Gryffindor sixth year girls so I will see you later." She left with a small bow of her head.

As she walked up to the Staff Table, Ron muttered something about still not knowing a thing about her. "True," Hermione agreed reluctantly, "But it's not exactly as if you knew much about me before we became friends. Besides, I like her and I trust her. I think we will be great friends. It will be nice to have another girl in the group!" She gave them a look, "I only hope she cares more about her studies than you two."

"I think we could be good friends too," Harry agreed before Hermione started talking about classes. They had another day before they had to think about lessons and he was not exactly eager to get started.

"I still don't trust her," Ron voiced. "The hat said she could've been a Slytherin."

"Or a Ravenclaw or even a Huffelpuff," Hermione supplied. "As for now, she's a Gryffindor and we are going to be nice to her."

"Okay, okay," Ron surrendered. "I'm gonna need to play her in a game of Wizard's Chess soon though," he added smugly, confident that he would beat her.

"Of course," Hermione nodded, humoring him. Harry smiled at the way she knew just what to say.