The scene had replayed in my mind too many times - to the point where I couldn't feel anything. The emptiness I felt hurt so much. "HaHa.. Hahhhaaaaahhh" I laughed as loud as possible. I wanted to the heavens to me. In vain I hoped someone would call out to me but my own voice echoed throught the street. The silence was suffocating. I was alone, I knew that already but it was only now that the reality started to sink in. They were gone... The wall crumbled and the tears poured out. Stil laying down I screamed and cried to anyone to God. I was never going to feel their warmth, their voice - my family was dead. The snow had piled up on me along with the rest of the earthh. The biting cold had seeped deeply into my body. I've lost track of time seeing as the white began to blur my vision. I've lost track of time but I could care less - I wanted the snow to bury me, erase my existence.
Chapter 1 = Arrival
"Keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer"
Squeezing past the herd of students, Harry scrambled into the nearest room that wasn't filled with first year students trying to get his autograph and picture. He was finally away from the Durselys for the new school year and all he wanted was some peace and quiet. Pushing up his glasses, he noticed two figures sleeping in the corner against the train window in the seat opposite of him. Curious he tilted to get a better look and was about to pull the blanket when SLAM! Jumping in his seat he fell grabbing someone's leg who slipped off and landed on Harry.
"Hermione I swear I just saw him sitting here seconds ago" Ron said, raking his hand through his hair in confusion.
"Honestly Ronald" Hermione sighed, "Look Down".
"OHHH" Ron said sheepishly and pulled the individual up to their feet. The stranger brushed their clothes off and turned away from the intruders to help the boy they had collapsed onto.
Ron gasped "Malfoy!?".
The stranger narrowed their eyes. Indeed from behind their porcelain skin and short platinum blonder hair caused many people to mistaken them for a Malfoy. However, as the person spun around Ron and Hermione figured the individual was a girl.
In a swift manner, the girl grabbed a fistful of Ron's robes forcefully. Harry jerked himself off the ground to help his friend.
"Don't you dare compare me to that git!" she said angrily.
Up close any one could see that she was a beauty. Her hair was layered cut all over and strands stacked short in the rear giving it a tousled look. There was no parting in her hair. The diagonal-forward fringe was heavy on one side of her forehead reaching down to her mid cheek. Her right eye was covered but that all made her glare more piercing. The overall look gave the platinum a feisty but sexy look. But in Ron's current position gazing at the forceful newcomer wasn't the smartest choice.
"Your definitely not a Malfoy.." croaked Ron.
Harry fell back into his seat, trying to contain his laughter as the girl slowly released Ron. Hermione released a deep sigh of release and sat down, "So what's your name".
"It's Ashley Janelle, oh man sorry for scaring you kid." She said, giving Ron a friendly smack on the back. I bumped into the menacing presence of Draco Malfoy earlier and let me tell you he was an ass. I've never met anyone so pompous and arrogant before!" she complained.
Ron immediately taking a liking for the newcomer eagerly introduced himself "Well join the club, we hate that ferret. I'm Ron, this is Hermione and this man right here is thee Harry Potter".
Harry winced and waited for the gasp of excitement or the questioning of whether his heroic feats were true. Yet strangely, Harry caught a forlorn look of shock on Ashley's face that was immediately replaced with a huge smile.
"Hey, you might want to see this" Ashley said, pushing the figure awake. Pulling of the blanket revealed a slender pair of legs and eventually a pair of dark brown eyes.
The two girls were definitely an odd pair. Unlike Ashley, her companion's hair was a deep brunette reaching down to her mid back with loose curls parted on the side. The wavy hairstyle gave an air of softness and sophistication.
Stretching and facing her companion, the girl said "I slept so well. For once I didn't see …" she stopped mid sentence noticing the trio.
Harry was happy he didn't have to deal with fan girls but to encounter wizards or witches who didn't know him as the Boy-Who-Lived was unheard of.
"New friends?" the girl questioned.
"Possibly" Ashley said slowly looking directly as Harry. "The freckled boy is Ron and the young lady next to her is Hermione."
"Hi, I'm Katrina" she said shaking their hands. Turning to the boy with glasses, she asked "What's your name?".
"Harry, Harry Potter" he said reaching out to shake Katrina's hand.
Katrina squeezed Harry's hand causing him to look up. Her dark brown eyes pierced into his green orbs. A jolt of pain seared through his head, pulling away from her he clutched his scar. However, the pain left as fast as it had come. Her gaze had made Harry feel uncomfortable, she wasn't threatening but he felt that he had stared into the same eyes in the past.
"You alright?" she asked. Harry nodded.
She gave Harry a small grin, "So what year are you guys heading into" Katrina asked.
"We'll all be 5th year" Hermione stated. "I've never seen you two before, are you guys new."
"Very observant aren't you, yes my friend and I attended a Muggle High School before deciding to transfer to Hogwarts." Ashley said.
"Why so late, does that mean you guys are going to be first years?! You guys look to old to be first years" Ron said while chewing on an apple.
"Ronald, close your mouth" Hermione complained. "Don't go rummaging into other people's business."
"Actually, if we had attended Hogwarts when we were of age, Kat and I would be entering our seventh year. Luckily we had a tutor who gave us lessons on most of the subjects offered at Hogwarts. He happens to be a Professor at your school as well so we're not as behind as you think, but he asked us not to disclose his name. Anyway, we're pretty familiar with the four houses and the school rules" Ashley said proudly. "Looking at your robes, you guys must be in Gryffindor. I'm not sure where the hat will put me".
"Well then you should know that Gryffindor picks those with courage, confidence and chivalry. Hufflepuffs are known for their loyalty and patience. Usually the smarter and clever ones are sorted into Ravenclaw." Harry said. "But Slytherin… is a terrible house" he spat. "The hat only chooses purebloods to go into that place. Half the students in there have connections to those damn Death Eaters!"
Hermione and Ron looked away, silently agreeing.
"The sorting hat chooses certain purebloods and the majority of the Slytherin populations have been bad wizards. However, it's more than blood. The hat chooses those who put ambition above everything else. It's that sort of obsession or twisted will that only Slytherins can have." Katrina said bitterly. "But what do I know, I've never seen Hogwarts myself" she stated quickly shrugging her shoulders.
For a while the room was quiet, unsure of what to say. Hermione contemplated the two newcomers to herself. They seem to know a lot more than there letting on.
Eventually when the train station came into the clearing, Katrina spoke again "Ashley and I wanted to stay in a Muggle environment as long as possible. Not because we hated magic but we were both committed to certain activities that we wouldn't be able to do here at Hogwarts. I was taking up dance while Ashley was training in several martial arts classes during the off season of track. Ron grimaced as he looked back at how lucky he was to not have been punched in the face.
The train slowed down and came to an eventual stop. The sound of students getting their luggage and exiting filled the train.
"Unfortunately as well, with the rumors of You-Know-Who arising we thought it the smartest choice to go to Hogwarts in order to get prepared." Ashley whispered.
Harry frowned "Just say his name, it's Voldermort" he growled irritably.
"I could say Voldermort's name hundreds of time, I'm not scared of him. However, there are many who feel fear from the name itself and no matter how hard you try that won't change. Out of respect of those who aren't strong enough yet, I don't say Voldermort's name in front of them so casually. Don't act so high and mighty Harry Potter!" Ashley yelled grabbing her luggage and storming out of the room.
The trio stared in shock. Katrina laughed "She's moody, don't worry about it. I hope we'll see you again soon". Stopping at the door she glanced back at Harry "You really are the Boy-Who-Lived….take care of yourself now". With that she headed out.
Confused Ron said "I thought they didn't know who you are – reputation wise?"
Harry didn't understand it himself but something compelled him to chase after that girl. The two girls were already out on the platform with following Hagrid with the other first years into the dark night. "Wait" he shouted earnestly. "You never told me your last name!"
Without stopping she hollered "You'll find out soon enough"
Walking back to Hermione and Ron, Harry couldn't shake the feeling that trouble was heading to Hogwarts fast.
