Hey, everyone. I know it's been a long time since I last updated. Life has been such a pain lately.

Well, since the seventh Harry Potter movie came out (you should see it if you haven't, but only if you have seen the first six movies first. If not go watch them.) I have been obsessed with it. So, now I am writing a fic. Surprise, surprise.

Please enjoy and tell me what you think of it…

I jerked awake as the train came to a stop at the station in Hogsmead. I heard Seph stretch by my feet, sticking his furry head under my hand to be petted. A smile slipped onto my lips. My familiar never failed to ease me. The cause of my unease? Staying at Hogwarts. Not Hogwarts itself, just that I will be staying somewhere I've never seen before. Not that I ever have, but that makes no difference.

The door to my compartment opened and I heard Primrose Delahughe, my charge, step inside. "We're here, Rachelle." The excitement was easy to pick up in the room, even without being an empath. It was almost overwhelming. "Isn't this exciting? Italy was getting a bit boring. Did you know, Ron, Fleur's fiancée, goes here? We've met the Weasley's a couple of times…"

I smiled and let her chatter flow over me. Standing, I reached up and felt around for my trunk. I shrunk it and slipped it into my pocket. Lastly, I patted my leg to quietly call Seph. As soon as my hand came in contact with his fur, I motioned with my other that we should get going. Miss Primrose left the compartment ahead of us, her voice not stopping even for a moment. How does she breathe?

"So, are you excited, Rachelle?"

"Of course, Miss Primrose. I have been looking forward to this ever since we found out we were coming here."

"Mother and father said that you will be taking a couple of the classes here. The times you are free, you will be accompanying me to my classes. Oh, here is the door." Miss Primrose opened the door to the train car and the chilly Scotland air flooded into the corridor. Her heels clinked on the steps as she went down them, ending with a dull 'thunk' when she reached the platform, and I counted them. There were five total steps, including the ground.

Five steps later and Seph and I were on Scottish soil for the first time. Well, not technically soil, but I think my point was made. Three sets of footsteps approached us to my left. I turned in that direction just as a gust of wind blew, carrying with it the smell of lavender, cigar smoke, and lemon. That would be Mister and Misses Delahughes. The other I didn't recognize.

"Rose," came the soft voice of Mrs. Delahughe. "Rachelle. This is Professor Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

"Pleasure to meet you, my dears." The voice was soft with a slight strain to it. A strain from age. A cautious/suspicious feeling came from him. So he isn't as carefree as he sounded. Hmmm…interesting. Another breeze carried the same scents, but this time the lemon was closer. The lemon must be the Headmaster. "Miss Delahughe. It is nice that you chose to finish your education here. And this must be Miss Dunkin. It was kind of you to volunteer to accompany Miss Delahughe." Surprise joined the suspicion, only to be replaced with distrust. "Come now. If we hurry, we can be in time for dinner."

The trip to the school was uneventful. Except when I bumped into something. It felt like a bony horse. I guess it was called a thestral, a creature I had once learned about. It was very kind to me. I was a bit mad, though, that they didn't allow Seph ride in the carriage, but he didn't seem too upset. I could have used his support in the middle of the awkward tension I felt.

The Great Hall, on the other hand, was crazy. The smells were overwhelming and the noise was nearly deafening. I smelt chicken, spices, various perfumes, and someone's body odor. Everyone's voices were running together and overlapping. Miss Primrose and I made our way to Gryffindor table. Miss Primrose had been Sorted there by a hat, called the Sorting Hat, in the Headmaster's office shortly after we arrived at the castle. Of course, I was to go where she was.

We sat next to Ronald Weasley and his two friends. Hermione Granger was nice and helped explain some of the rules to us. Harry Potter was quiet nearly the entire time, but I could feel his stare. It made me feel uncomfortable. Luckily, no one really noticed me, including Ronald and Hermione, or Seph. The food was fantastic.

At the end of the meal, the Headmaster stood and called for silence. "Good evening, everyone. I only have a couple announcements before you go to bed tonight. Mr. and Mrs. Delahughe have joined us for the year. Their daughter and…friend"-was I the only one to notice the small pause before 'friend'?-"have decided to join us as well. Please make them feel welcome. Miss Delahughe's dog is not to be touched and is allowed to go anywhere in the castle. That is all and goodnight." That last part ticked me off, though I was glad that Seph could go anywhere. Seph is a wolf and definitely not Miss Primrose's pet.

I heard the Headboy and Headgirl's calls of "Gryffindors follow me!" Seph nudged my back and I scratched behind his ears for a second before standing up. But the sound of the house was growing quieter, no matter how fast we tried to go.

We got lost. So we wandered.

Soon, I smelt air that was more fresh and continued to get fresher as we walked forward. Suddenly, I tripped and crashed face first into a large door. That would explain the fresh air. I opened the door, rubbing my nose, then patted my leg for Seph. We walked forward a couple of paces, when I felt the ground drop from beneath my toes. I stopped, allowing Seph to go down first. Luckily, there were only three steps. The ground slanted down gently and the wind flowed smoothly across my heated skin. It had gotten warm inside the castle and felt nice to cool off. We wandered along what seemed like a path for a minute or two.

At the end of the path was a greenhouse. The scent of herbs, soil, and a musty, humid smell permitted the air. I closed my eyes, taking a deep, refreshing breath. The glass was slightly warmer than the temperature of the air outside. Most likely from warming charms, considering it was late October. I pushed the door open and stepped into the moist heat. The smell just got stronger without the buffer of the walls, not that I minded.

Carefully, I continued taking deep breaths. Not to enjoy the smell, but to get used to it and be able to distinguish between the different scents of the herbs. The sharp smell of feverfew and the sour smell of yarrow were the strongest, so I guessed that they were closest.

I knelt down next to Seph and gave him a kiss on the head. "You can stay here if you want. I'm not going to drag you everywhere." He whined in appreciation and lay down. With one last scratch behind the ears, I stood and warily reached down to take off my shoes and socks. My balance has always been poor, making it even more difficult on me. But I succeeded, and set them on the ground next to my, now sleeping, wolf. A small smile formed on my lips as I turned so he was at my back.

Tentatively, I slid my foot forward. Soil and grass were soft against my skin. Just like the greenhouse back at home. Home… My smile faded. I shook my thoughts away. This was a time to relax before facing the Gryffindor's. As I walked, the smell of feverfew and yarrow was replaced by other plants. Mandrakes, Devil's Snare (I made sure to stay away from that- it smelled like death), Wormwood, Anise, Black Horehound, Aconite, and Black Nightshade being only a few. I was so occupied with naming the plants that I didn't feel the body I walked into until I was on the ground.

"S-sorry," I mumbled, "didn't see you there."

"Indeed," came the reply. It was definitely a man's voice and it was as smooth as silk. "You must be Miss Delahughe. The Headmaster has told us you were coming." The voice was cold, but I felt curiosity and caution coming off of him. "He is a good actor. He would make a good spy. "And where is your dog? I don't want him peeing all over the plants here. Professor Sprout and I have worked hard to get to where they are."

The angry retort fell from my lips before I could stop it. "Seph wouldn't do something like that. I trained him myself not to. This isn't the only greenhouse he's been in. Some plants even benefit from animal urine. Not any here as far as I can tell. He will only go outside. And Seph isn't some domesticated lapdog. He is a full grown wolf, thank you very much. And I am not Miss Primrose. I am Rachelle Dunkin, Miss Primrose's servant." I stood up, brushing dirt off my butt.

Surprise and a small hurt of pride. I insulted him. "My apologies, Miss Dunkin. Professor Dumbledore said the do- wolf was Miss Delahughe's, so I had assumed that you would be her," Mystery Man explained.

"No, no." I waved my hands. "I should apologize for going off on you like that. I get really protective of him."

"I see." A pause. "You seem to know plants well."

I nodded. A careful sniff informed me that he was by the Aconite. "Do you need help?"

"No, thank you." And then Mystery Man left.

Shaking my head, I called, "Seph!" A low whine reached my ears. I slowly shuffled forward toward the sound. As soon as my hand came in contact with his fur, he stopped. I gave him a kiss on the head when I sat down on the floor to pull on my socks and shoes.

We made it into Gryffindor Tower just before curfew.

So, how do you like it so far? Please let me know what you think.

If you have any ideas or requests, please review or PM me.

Also, who should I pair Hermione up with: Neville Longbottom, Terry Boot (Ravenclaw), or an OC? If the OC, what do you want him (or her) to look and be like?

Reviews make me happy…