The red train pulled into the station near Hogwarts with a loud howl from the whistle, frightening every bird in the nearby trees. I shouldn't be surprised how crowded it is, my other school was the same way. Speaking of which, I wish I wasn't bloody transferred. All thanks to an insane relative that set my house on fire after my father had fired him. It wasn't his idea. He was forced to and now look at where I am…Hogwarts. It's supposedly a safety thing but I think it's far out of line and incredibly unfair. Hogwarts is as ancient looking as it's pictures show yet impressive nonetheless. I'm not a fan of making new friends either not that it was ever hard for me. I'm sweet and bold like the Gryffindor but just as cunning and slick with a lie as Slytherin. It earned me a place with everyone. Well, most of everyone liked me. Except for my teachers, of course, they complained I was a troublemaker and spoke when not spoken to too often. One teacher blamed my popularity on my prettiness and that alone. Then again she was a bit of an old bat. At least my years of schooling are almost over seeing as I am in the 5th grade. 17 years old to be exact and I can't help but smile at the thought of it.

Now a brief history on me…what you haven't already heard…half of my family is muggle so needless to say those relatives have no idea what the other half get themselves into. Both of my parents are wizards, my mother runs a ranch so I grew up around horses and my father works for the ministry of magic. I am an only daughter and child. I have my mother's smooth blonde hair and my father's blue/gold eyes. My father's side is very Irish so I have a slight accent from listening to him talk. Not many things frighten me so I tend to get myself into danger, which leads to head aching punishments at times. I suppose those carriages take us to the castle. What on earth is pulling it though?

After throwing my things and my cat with everyone else's belongings I was pushed into a crowd of people my age. I was the only unfamiliar face and it was obvious and uncomfortable having half the grade stare me up and down like I was the next specimen to be observed in the Care of Magical Creatures class. I noticed a particular boy leaning against a stonewall of the grand hall that had his eyes locked on me. I wasn't sure what house he was in because nobody had his or her robes on yet. Probably because they still had to place the first years. Now we didn't have houses at my old school like Hogwarts does. There were only two large sections of the school, one for the boys and one for the girls. Very simple, so unfortunately I'll have to sit under that rag of a hat. After all the little ones were placed, Professor Dumbledore called my name at last and rolled up the scroll of names, giving me a sweet inviting smile.

"As all of you know, this year we have a transfer as rare as it is. Now I expect all of you to give Vanessa a warm welcome. No matter what house she becomes a part of." He adds looking straight at the boy that was eyeing me. The decrepit man turned to me with the hat in is hand and gestured me to sit. He must've caught the look on my face because the hat suddenly said "Don't worry I do not bite."

"It isn't the bite I'm worried about it's my curiosity of how long it's been since you've been washed.." I brushed the brim a little and a fingertip of dust fell to the floor. The other students snickered with their hands over their mouths. The hat drooped into a scowl and swung from Dumbledore's hand to the top of my head. It sat there awhile before saying anything.

"Ah…I see courage, cunning, kindness yet a mysterious and menace side of you. You are powerful to be sure. Very impressive, but where do I put you? You would work well with Gryffindor, yet Slytherin is part of your personality as well. You are difficult child, where to place…where to place…" It gave a long heavy sigh and then suddenly blurted, "Gryffindor! You might do better there but I hope you don't cause any trouble that will make me change my mind."

As I rose from the stool to shake Dumbledore's hand an entire table stood up in excitement, clapping and whistling away. Obviously, these were to be my fellow housemates. I grinned and walked down the steps toward them. The other tables sighed, some slapping their hands on their table in disappointment. From the corner of my eye the same boy I had seen against the wall was grimacing. I caught a glimpse of the "oh so famous" Harry Potter sitting at my table. I had nearly forgotten he was here. My mother would've smacked me across the head if she had known. A girl with reddish/brown frizzy hair slid over and patted the bench next to her.

"Hi! My name is Hermione and this Harry and that's Ron sitting next to him."

"Hi." Replied Harry somewhat bashfully.

"I can very well introduce myself, thank you." Ron replied with a piece of food in his mouth.

"Not when you talk like that. Honestly Ron, learn some manners." Hermione growled.

I giggled as I piled my plate with turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes. It was like a thanksgiving dream. One of my favorite holidays because if there's anything I love, one of them is eating. "I'm assuming you three have known each other since the beginning?"

Harry smiled and nodded, "Yea, we've pretty much been through everything together. How do you like it here so far?"

I shrugged, "I don't know yet. I'll get back to you on that though. It should be interesting anyway."

They all nodded in agreement and they updated me on things that have been happening around Hogwarts with 'You know who' for the past years and heard a little bit about their backgrounds. After I had been introduced to everyone at my house table, which I will never remember all the names in one night, the grand hall started to empty out as everybody went to retreat to their rooms. My house and a few others from other houses have already taken to me. One girl for some reason asked if she could borrow my clothes, which I found odd since I had only just met her. Then again she was a rather dull looking girl. One of the teachers already seems to hate me. Professor Sap or something of that sort. He looks like the crypt keeper with a large nose. As the crowd moved along the corridors I felt a pull on my arm and I was swung into a dark corner.

"I feel like I should introduce myself. Even if you aren't in my house, but stupid, worthless Gryffindor instead.", a males voice said in a low tone. He kind of spat my house name.

I turned to look at the guy I had seen leaning against the wall. He had magnificent bleach blonde hair and piercing eyes. I grinned at him, "And it's?"

"Draco Malfoye. Seeker for the Slytherin Quiditch team." He said rather proudly.

"Oh so your special talent is flying around on a broomstick, chasing a small gold ball?"

A few of the people from my house that hung back to see what Draco wanted, snickered. A fowl look crossed his face, clearly irritated. He shoved me away but I grabbed him by the arm to pull him back and rolled my eyes.

"Relax Draco, you'll get used to me and like it. You already have my name." I said with a smile and walked away to the others that had been waiting for me. He grunted like he didn't want to be eased out of his temper but he was obviously somewhat amused by my attitude. After a few moments Ron looked at me curiously, "You know he's a real fowl kind of person. He's the biggest jerk in the school."

I laughed, "I don't understand it either but I have a strange tolerance for people. "

"Maybe that will give our house another strong point. Slytherin and Gryffindor have been rivals from the very beginning." Harry replied.

We soon headed into our house after walking up stairwells that I thought would never end. We even had to listen to a portrait sing before she would let us through. I wish I had been deaf. There was a large center room with a fireplace, couches, and bookshelves with lanterns floating above our heads. All the couches and chairs along with some banners flowing down the stone walls were our house colors: red and yellow. Our animal the lion was encrusted into almost everything. I found my stuff in a room with Hermione and two other girls. My black and white Maine Coon was sleeping on my bed and my clothes had already been assorted into the dresser next to it. My uniforms were hanging from the canopy of my bed. Merlin, I hate uniforms. I looked out the diamond shaped window towards the Dark Forest and saw a strange shadow by the edge that seemed to glide into it. Now I've been told all the things about 'You know who" from my classmates, so something struck me curious about it. Nonetheless, I was glad the first day was through. Now let's see what's really in store for me here.