Chapter 1
Audrey woke up on September first in a haze, clearly paying for the fact that she didn't go to sleep until about midnight the night before. It also didn't help that she woke up in a new room, in a new house. That added to her confusion, until she cleared her head a bit and groaned. It was time for her first day of school, in a new country, with people she had never met before.
Audrey Daley had been born and raised in America, in the state of Virginia. She attended Ilvermorny, the American wizarding school. She had been a student there for the past six years. But this year, her final year, she was expected to attend Hogwarts, in Scotland.
Roseanne and Johnathan Daley, Audrey's parents, had informed her a few months ago in May that they would be moving from their comfortable wizarding village near Richmond to live in Manchester. It was then that Audrey's live had turned upside down. Within two weeks, a house had been bought in another part of the world, and Audrey packed her things and left the only home she had ever known.
She couldn't blame her parents, though. Her father was the Head of Magical Law Enforcement in the American Ministry of Magic. Her mother was a Healer at a wizard's hospital. Their talents and knowledge were needed at Hogwarts.
Audrey was somewhat ignorant of the peril and terror that had plagued her new school and home place. She had heard whispers and rumors of course. However, the American ministry was adamant about not being involved. This meant no newspaper articles, no news, no information. All Audrey knew was what she heard her parents' hushed voices whispering about when they thought she wasn't listening.
Audrey knew that an insane wizard named Voldemort was terrorizing muggleborns and anyone that got in his way. She knew a boy named Harry Potter had defeated him. She knew that the school of Hogwarts was mainly in shambles and that Voldemort's followers were being rounded up like cattle and arrested. That's as far as her knowledge went.
Her parents were asked to come help. Her father's expertise in law enforcement was greatly needed in the hunt for the rogue followers. There were also a large number of people that were injured, which is why her mom was needed. Since May, Audrey and her parents had been living in Manchester. Her parents Floo'ed to Hogwarts and the Ministry daily while Audrey was left at home to get used to her new life.
With a sigh, she got out of bed and made her way to her bathroom to shower and get dressed. Afterwards, she double and triple checked to make sure she had everything she needed in her trunk. Although she was nervous about this new school, a thrill of excitement went through her. She was a rather friendly girl, so she was excited to meet new people. At that thought, a wave of nostalgia and sadness hit her as she remembered all her friends back home. Friends that she had made and stuck with for the past six years, all the way back in America. Would they miss her? What all exciting seventh year activities with her class would she be missing? Audrey pushed those thoughts out of her mind and grabbed her trunk and walked downstairs to her parents.
"Good morning sweetheart," her mother said, placing a plate of food in front of her. "Once you eat, we will be Apparating to King's Cross."
"Do you have everything ready?" Her dad asked.
"Yeah, I double checked." Audrey said. She took a few bites of her breakfast and pushed it away. She was far too nervous to handle a full stomach.
Half an hour later, she was standing on Platform 9 3/4, barely able to hide her nervousness. Her parents both hugged her tight and kissed her head.
"Write us right away and let us know how you're settling in." Her father said.
"If you need us, go to the Headmistress' office and give us a call through the Floo." Her mother instructed.
Audrey walked toward the train, turning to get another look at her parents. She would miss seeing them everyday. She put on a brave face and stepped on the train.
It seemed as though most of the students were already grouped together in the compartments. Feeling her nerves heighten, she continued down the train until she could find an empty one.
Her efforts were in vain though. Every compartment was full, except one towards the back of the train. There was one boy in there. Tall, blonde, and staring out the window, he looked intimidating. He was wearing all black, but he was dressed to impress. His blonde almost white hair was unstyled, and hanging around his ears. The way he looked out the window without really seeing made Audrey think he had maybe seen too much in life.
She mustered up all the courage she could and slid the door open. Instantly, the boy's eyes went to hers. There was no emotion there. Audrey was a bit taken back.
"Do you mind if I sit in here? Everywhere else is full." Audrey said. She was sure her voice shook.
The boy shrugged and Audrey took that as her invitation. She stuck her trunk on the shelf above her and pushed it back to make sure it wouldn't fall. She took a seat across from the boy and stared out the window. She couldn't see her parents anymore, but some had stuck behind to see the train leave.
After a few minutes, she heard the train's engine start up and felt a lurch as it took off. She retrieved her book from her bag and began to read. It was the book that had been assigned for her favorite class, Potions.
The silence in the compartment was awkward. She wanted to say something to the boy sitting across from her, but she didn't know what. Remembering a few things about Hogwarts, she decided to ask him what house he was in.
He turned and looked at her, and looked as though he was debating on whether or not to answer. Finally, he said "Slytherin".
Audrey tried to remember what she could about the houses from her readings in Hogwarts, a History. She didn't remember much.
"Oh. Sounds nice. I wonder what house they'll put me in." She replied. The boy just shrugged and turned back to the window. Audrey instantly decided this boy was very rude, and she hoped that the other students weren't like him.
The boy eventually got up and left the compartment, turning towards the bathroom that was two doors down the hall. After he had been in there for a minute or two, a couple older students crowded around the door.
Audrey returned to her book, not thinking anything of it. They were probably waiting on him to get out so they could use it.
A couple minutes later, she heard a commotion. She turned to look and she saw her compartment mate surrounded by the three other boys, and it seemed like some heated words were being exchanged. She stood and opened the door to see what was going on.
"Why are you back here, Malfoy? Couldn't just accept your fate and rot in Azkaban like your filthy father?" One of the boys taunted.
"Come on then, Malfoy. Don't have anything to say? You're not wanted here, Death Eater scum." Another jeered.
The boy, Malfoy, just stood there, eyes pointed downward not saying anything. Audrey was confused. She had heard of Voldemort's followers being called Death Eaters. Surely this student her own age wasn't involved in that?
Regardless, she was not one to stand by and allow bullying. She stepped forward and said "Excuse me, but you're being rather loud and disturbing my reading. How about you take your childish antics elsewhere?"
The three boys turned and looked at her, but Malfoy kept his eyes down. They sneered and walked away, leaving her with her compartment mate. He still hadn't looked up.
"What -" she began, but he instantly looked at her and she shut up. He looked furious.
"Stay out of it! It's none of your damn business! I don't need your fucking help." Malfoy hissed at her. He turned and walked the opposite direction that the boys had gone, on down the train.
Audrey shook her head, embarrassed and rather hurt if she was being honest. She went back into the compartment, alone this time, and tried to focus on her book.
Finally, the train had arrived at Hogwarts. She could see the castle up ahead. It was absolutely beautiful. The first years were being taken across the lake on boats, lead by a larger man. Perhaps a half-giant. She joined her fellow upperclassmen in carriages being pulled by nothing. She found it rather odd that some students were looking at the front of the carriages, as though they could see something there.
She jumped on a carriage that only held three other people. A girl with curly brown hair, holding the hand of a tall red haired boy. Beside of them, a dark haired shorter boy with a lightning bolt shaped scar barely concealed under his hair. She knew instantly who these three were. She had heard little, but she reckoned they had to be nice enough.
"Hello, mind if I join ya'll? I'm new so I don't really know where I'm supposed to be." Audrey explained.
The three smiled at her. The girl spoke up. "Of course you can. I'm Hermione, and this is Ron and Harry." She said.
"I'm Audrey Daley." Audrey responded, waving at them.
Ron asked her, "Where are you from?"
"Virginia. It's in the United States. I went to Ilvermorny up til now." Audrey explained.
The other boy, Harry, asked "What brings you all the way over here?"
Audrey explained to them her situation, and when she mentioned her parents' names, their eyes lit up with recognition.
"Oh yes, Healer Daley. I've met her a few times, you know, helping in the infirmary this summer. She's a very sweet woman, very good at what she does. I don't know where half the students would be right now if it wasn't for her." Hermione said.
Audrey lit up with pride. "Yes, she certainly loves her career."
Harry said, "I've met your father a few times too. He was the one who finally found and arrested Antonin Dolohov. We'd been looking for him all summer."
"I'm glad he could help." Audrey said. Then she decided to be straightforward. "You know... I don't know how much you all know about the States, but our Ministry wanted nothing to do with the war. I truly don't know much about what happened. All I know is what I've heard my parents discussing. I just didn't want y'all to be offended if I looked confused at what you are saying."
"Oh, don't worry." Ron chimed in. "It's actually rather refreshing talking to someone who doesn't want an autograph or picture." Audrey laughed as Hermione gave him a shove.
"Yeah, I've heard the American Ministry basically left you all in the dark. Perhaps that was for the better." Harry said.
"So, have you made any friends yet?" Ron asked.
Audrey considered whether or not to tell them about her experience on the train. Weighing her options, she figured she'd give it a go. "Well, I couldn't find an empty compartment on the train, so I sat in one that only had one boy in it." She then told them about the confrontation at the bathroom and that she found out his last name was Malfoy.
Harry looked somewhat troubled and didn't say anything. Hermione shook her head, and Ron said "Well, they weren't lying." Hermione shoved him again.
"Well Audrey, if you'd be willing, you just made three pretty good friends, if I do say so myself." Ron smiled.
Audrey returned the smile and said "I'd like that."
Harry said "Hopefully you get put in Gryffindor with us."
Audrey smiled and agreed.
Once she was in the Great Hall, her nerves flared back up. It was time for her to be Sorted, now that the first years were done. When Headmistress McGonagall called her name, she slowly walked up to the bench and sat down. When the hat was placed on her head, it barely touched her hair before it screamed "GRYFFINDOR!"
She jumped up, much happier, and ran back to her spot with her three new friends. The whole table was cheering, asking her name and where she was from. She felt a bit overwhelmed, but that pales in comparison to her excitement to have made friends and find her place in the school.
McGonagall stood and asked for everyone to quieten down. "I welcome you all back to another year at Hogwarts. As you all know, these past few years, especially the last, have been hard on us all. This is a time for renewal, for strength, and solidarity. There will be no more inter-house rivalries. You are all students in this great school, and that is the most important thing. I encourage you all to talk together, mourn together, and build together. Thank you, and again, welcome back."
After she went silent, the Great Hall burst into cheers and applause. Audrey joined in, although she felt somewhat like an outsider. All her fellow students had obviously been through hell and back, and here she was, ignorant and shiny and new.
Clearly Harry saw how she was feeling and he whispered to her, "Don't worry. We'll fill you in. I sure am happy to have you as a friend. You'll fit in well here."
Audrey instantly felt better. She looked around the hall and found the Malfoy boy sitting at the Slytherin table, several seats away from the closest person to him. The other students were huddled up, whispering and shooting glances his direction. They clearly didn't want to be around him. He had his eyes down again, staring at the table and not touching his food. The sensitive side of Audrey felt a touch of pity, and she asked Harry, "What's wrong with him?"
Harry looked over and saw Malfoy and the other students pointing at him. He sighed and replied, "That's a really long story."