Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns everything.

Chapter One: New Beginnings

Virginie stood anxiously in the foyer of Hogwarts Castle, her thin Beauxbatons robes causing her to shiver in the vast, drafty interior of the castle. She shook uncontrollably, both from the cold and from her nerves. Though she had been here once two years ago, Virginie had never been forced to permanently live in this castle. Moreover, terrible things always seemed to happen at Hogwarts….but never mind all that now. Right now, the most important thing running through her mind was how different she looked, and she hated herself for it.

Born in France to a Pureblood wizarding family, Virginie had attended Beauxbatons Academy through last year—her fifth year of schooling, and this year, she would begin her sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, something that scared the shit out of her.

Because her father had begun a new job in London, they'd decided to relocate, and since Virginie had been frequently commuting between London and France for years, her accent was predominantly English…and she thought that she'd at least have that on her side, if nothing else.

She shivered once more, wondering why time seemed to be standing still. Inside the Hall, Minerva McGonagall was placing the Sorting Hat on anxious first years' heads. This Sorting Hat rather frightened Virginie, who was used to the single house at Beauxbatons.

Finally, Headmaster Dumbledore began to speak. "Welcome," he said, "to another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Before we begin to eat, I'd like to announce the arrival of a new student, who joins us from Beauxbatons Academy. Let's please all welcome Miss Virginie de Gaulle, who will be sorted into a house in a few short moments."

Knowing this was her cue, Virginie walked slowly into the Great Hall, so slowly that she could feel her calf muscles twitch as her high heeled foot hit the stone floor. Her long, toned legs walked gracefully to the front of the hall, where a single stool sat. As she walked, she could hear students talking and whispering amongst themselves, probably wondering who the hell she was and why she was here. Virginie lifted her head haughtily and walked to the front of the room.

Professor McGonagall beckoned Virginie to the stool, and she sat, crossing her long legs. She could feel the eyes of each student upon her, but she did not let it phase her. Instead, she looked up at McGonagall, who placed the hat upon her head.

"Well well, Beauxbatons," the hat said, and Virginie jumped internally. "You are, therefore, most definitely….RAVENCLAW!"

Simultaneously, McGonagall took the hat from her head and a table to her right stood and began clapping. McGonagall motioned for her to walk toward them, and she did, joining the applauding students, who then all welcomed her graciously and sat.

From her vantage point, Virginie could see all the students of Hogwarts looking at Headmaster Dumbledore…all but one, who continued to stare at her. Though she was three tables away, Virginie could make out piercing grey eyes and a haughty expression, which rather matched her own, if she could judge how her expression appeared.

She knew the boy at once, of course, as she had met him two years ago. Draco something something, if she could remember correctly. He was, in fact, as haughty as she had thought by his expression, and she remembered he was quite taken by a complete cow, Pansy something, at the time. Anyway…she wished he would stop staring. She turned to Dumbledore and listened attentively, refusing to look back at him.

Later that week, Virginie sat at the library with Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley, studying for a Potions quiz, which she assumed wouldn't be difficult, considering Slughorn seemed to have taken an immediate liking to her…he called her "savvy."

"Have you noticed…" Ginny began, "that Draco Malfoy is infatuated by you?"

Virginie looked up from her writing. "What do you mean?"

"Oh sod it, Virginie," Hermione said exasperatedly. "He never stops staring!"

"Would you two stop?" she said, her French accent peaking through as it always did when she was annoyed. "I do not like 'im, you two. Will you stop bozzering me? I do not! I will never!"

"Easy turbo," Ginny laughed as Virginie slammed her book shut. "I was just telling you. Besides, I doubt he has good intentions anyway."

"Oh I am quite sure of zat!" she exclaimed angrily, shoving her things into her bag.

Hermione laughed, closing her book as well. "Don't worry about it, V. Ginny was just saying…and me too, I mean he does stare quite a lot. We didn't mean anything by it, really."

Virginie sighed. "I know," she said quietly. "He just makes me very uncomfortable."

Ginny laughed, "But he is quite fuck-able."

"Ginny!" Hermione exclaimed.

"What!"

"You. Know. What."

"Oh sod it, Hermione, you're too good for your own good."

Virginie laughed and walked out of the library, Hermione in tow, for Potions.