It was a warm August day at the Dursleys and as usual, Harry had been put to work outside while Aunt Petunia had her book club and Uncle Vernon took Dudley to the Amusement Park. Slaving away as he did, Harry began to daydream about going back to school or the burrow or basically anywhere but here. He started to wish the week were over so he could go back to school. He missed the Commons and the talking paintings and at this point, even Snape. He missed every hall, every corridor and every moving staircase. He missed his friends Ron, Hermione and he even missed the revoltingly antagonizing Draco Malfoy. Ok, so maybe he didn't miss Hogwarts quite that much. Just one more week and he could leave this demonic place of torture, this muggle world and finally go Home. Home; they say it's where the heart is and even when he didn't know who he was, Harry's heart still had been at Hogwarts.

          An owl looped around a tree abruptly, screeching for Harry's attention. It quickly dropped a letter to him and flew off. Harry stopped raking up the grass that he had mowed earlier for a moment and opened his letter. Inside, scratchy etchings mapped out to form letters and words. Harry looked at the bottom; it was a letter from Hagrid! It read:

          Dear Harry,

                It's been a long summer! I have a surprise for you and a favor to ask. Please meet me at the train station.

                                                                                                                Your Friend,

                                                                                                                        Hagrid.      

          What could he want? Harry wondered, all week in fact, until he was at the train station.

          He crossed through the barrier to platform 9 3/4  with great ease, having done it for the last few years. He gave his trolley to the baggage claim and started looking for Hagrid, but Hagrid wasn't there. Harry figured that Hagrid had gotten tied up somewhere, as he did every now and again. He boarded the train with Hedwig and his robes and then he went to find Hermione and Ron, which he did, in a car on the right side.

          " 'Ello Harry!" Ron said.

          "How was your summer?" Hermione inquired.

          "Not worth talking about, though I did get a letter from Hagrid." Harry replied simply. " He said to meet him at the train station because he has a surprise for me and a favor to ask."

          "Do you know what it is?" Hermione asked.

          "I'm not sure exactly. He said he'd be at the train station but I looked and I couldn't find him."

          "Well, perhaps you missed him?" Hermione suggested. " Then again, it's Hagrid and he's rather hard to miss." And that was the end of that conversation. They soon delved into the on goings of the magical world, so as to fill Harry in on the news. After that they dressed in their robes and the train pulled into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

          When they arrived, Hagrid pulled him aside for a moment.

          "Sorry Harry, I couldn't make it to the train station. You see, my niece is a new student here and she's kind of sad and I was hoping if she got to know someone here and maybe they showed her around, then maybe-" He was cut off by Harry.

          "I understand. And I'd be happy to show her around Hagrid. Where is she?" Harry asked.

          "She's already on her way to the dining hall." And with that, Hagrid was off, calling first years to follow him. Harry was a bit dumbfounded, didn't first years go with Hagrid? He blew the idea off as he dropped Hedwig off at the entrance and proceeded to enter the castle.

          Inside, he followed the corridors to the dining hall, where he, Ron and Hermione sat down. They watched the first years get sorted and then listened for announcements.

          "Welcome to Hogwarts, school of witchcraft and wizardry first years! I hope everyone will enjoy their stay this year. As for announcements, they are as stands:

                   The dark forest is off limits, first years and as a reminder to the rest of you. I suggest staying out of there unless you think you may enjoy a slow, painful death. Two, we have a new transfer student from our sister school, the American Hogwarts. Now where is she?…" Professor Dumbledor scanned the room until a girl, no older than 15 or sixteen stood from the Gryfindor table.  " Ah! There she is! This is Hagrid's Niece, Diedre Devi. I hope you will all give Diedre a warm welcome. And our final announcement is we have a new defense against the dark arts teacher. This is Professor Madrick Van Peabody."

          "Please, call me Professor Madrick." The new teacher said with a warm smile and a bow. He wasn't  very old and was rather good looking with light brown hair that he left natural and short. His eyes were brown but when he turned and sat down, they glinted yellow momentarily. With this, Harry noticed Hagrid's niece, Diedre sit up straight hastily but then slouch back down.

          "Now with that out of the way, let the feast begin!" Professor Dumbledor said and the plates in front of them began to fill with food that appeared from nowhere. Harry ate some but then he noticed Hagrid leave the hall, with a nod to him as he left. Soon after, Harry stood from his seat and followed to Hagrid's hut outside.

          "Harry, I'm really glad you agreed to this. Diedre has been rather depressed since her parents died in a car crash last month. They were both mortals, you see, on my father's side. Since I'm the only family she's got I brought her here to Hogwarts. No better place that I know of, eh Harry? Anyways, she's rather quiet because she's afraid of hurting someone."

          "Afraid of hurting someone?" Harry asked, unsure.

          "Shouldn't have said that…I, should, Not, Have said that." Hagrid said, silently cursing his active tongue.

          "Don't worry about it Uncle, no worries." she said with a fake smile. " I just stopped in to say good night before I head off to the Gryfindor room. Hello Harry, I don't suppose you know what the password is do you?" She asked, acknowledging that Harry was still in the room.