A Sory Fanfic in the Harry Potter Universe. I do not own anything of the characters, places, or spells in this story, everything belongs to Fox or Warner Bros.

A new term begins at Hogwarts, what awaits the students?

Setting: 14 years after the Battle of Hogwarts.

Book 1, Chapter 0

The Foreign Exchange Students

The smog infused air filled the lungs of the townsfolk as they scrambled onto the grey cobblestone platform. The smoke rising from the red striped chimney of the train billowed out larger signaling it's soon departure. Children moved faster, hugging their parents and pushing their trunks to the doors of the train pushing those in front in their excitement. Each child wore long black robes, some with lining and trim patterns of Red, Green, Blue or Yellow, and small brimless pointed hats. Mothers cried as they watched their babies board the train, and fathers beamed proudly as their pride and joy left them to pursue journeys beyond what they could ever offer them at home; watching as their loved ones boarded the Hogwarts Express.

The mood shifted as the last child boarded the train. The crowd slowly dissipated. Few stayed behind to chat with other parents, regaling their past adventures at Hogwarts before leaving the platform. Memories flooded back as Madame Sylvester approached the train in her menacing strut. Closely behind her a herd of extra students followed. The crowd segregated and sneered at the students as they passed. The adults whispered to one another expressing their hopes that their own children wouldn't interact with them. Some gripped their wands debating whether or not it would be acceptable to hex them on spot but decided against it in fear of Madame Sylvester's repercussions.

She stood taller than most people. Under her long fluid black robes, Sylvester wore her traditional black and green vest and pants that clashed in tone with her bright blond pixie-cut hair. Her face seemed to have a permanent scowl. Her wrinkles took over her appearance, at first glance she seemed to be nothing but a frown. As she reached the front of the train she turned swiftly on her heels. White smoke hid her feet and she raised one hand towards the magical vehicle. Sylvester peered into the eyes of each student in front her before speaking.

"Welcome to the Hogwarts Express." She addressed them. Madame Sylvester rolled her eyes slightly as she went on. "You're transportation to our school. Hogwarts is situated in a discreet remote location-"

"Wait, Madame Sylvester," A short Asian girl in the front interrupted her. The girls face was hidden behind her black bangs. Her voice was soft and she spoke as if she wasn't very confident.

"What?" Sylvester growled at the girl, making her flinch.

"Uh...I just find it a little strange that you take a train to get to school. We were told that Hogwarts was modernized, why can't you just take a Wizard Portal, you'd be there in seconds." Madame Sylvester glared daggers at her.

"Who are you?" She approached the girl, making her shrink back into the group even more. The girl hid behind a taller blonde boy who also felt lesser at her menacing gaze. "Tina Cohen-Chang" She squeaked.

"Well Cohen- Ching-Chong-Chang, unlike you Americans, we care about the safety of our pupils. We at Hogwarts don't like everybody and their mothers being able to waltz into our school at the snap of their fingers. That's why you never hear about mass murderers coming into our school and killing our young witches and wizards." She spat. The families that had stayed behind on the platform burst into fits of giggles at Sylvester giving it to the American wizards.

"What about Voldemort?" A Latina in the back asked. The adults went silent. Madame Sylvester's face scrunched up in anger. The Latina's arms were crossed and she had a smug grin on his face. "He waltzed in pretty easily and murdered a few hundred of your students." Everyone on the platform stared at her, some muttered profanities under their breaths. The male student behind her pulled her a couple feet away from the rest of the group.

"Santana, you're not supposed to bring that up." He cautioned her running a hand through his hair, or lack of hair since most of it was shaved besides the lengthy bit of his Mohawk.

"So what, Puck? It's been 14 years since the battle. A couple hundreds of people died, big whoop. You think they'd be over it by now."

Madame Sylvester decided to move on as if she hadn't heard Santana's remark. "You will board the train, and when we reach the station at Hogsmeade, you will find me, and from there I will give you further instructions. Is that clear." She glared into the whites of their eyes. They all nodded, except for Puck and Santana who were still arguing. "Good, now get on board and mingle a little. I'm sure you'll make tons of friends." She said with a mischievous smile. She turned and apparated away.

The group of teens looked at each other questionably. One advanced towards the train and the rest followed suit. They started filed onto the train dragging their trunks behind them. The blonde male stopped before getting onboard giving the platform one final look through. His blonde hair fell to the sides of his face surrounding his defined jawline. The adults stared back with murderous eyes. His stomach dropped at the thought of how the other students would perceive them if this was the treatment they initially received.

"What do you think that meant?" A tall brunette boy asked him. The blonde shook the image of their glaring faces away. The blonde looked toward his friend with a dumb expression. "Sam? Madame Sylvester said, 'I'm sure you'll make tons of friends?" He mocked her threat.

"I don't know, Finn. Why was everyone staring at us back there though?" The blonde inquired. Sam's biceps bulged as he lifted his trunk. They walked down the somewhat large aisle looking for empty compartments. Students gave them mean looks as they looked into their compartments. "Why are they staring at us?"

A girl sped passed him in her haste. "It's because we're American, Sam, duh." His friend Quinn scoffed at him and his naivety. "Everyone knows the American wizards and the English wizards don't get along. That's why this whole Foreign Exchange Program is a stupid waste of time." Her curly blonde locks bounced as she paraded down the train.

Most of the group had found empty compartments to sit in while others chose to press their luck and sit with the returning Hogwarts students. Soon Sam was all alone with Finn walking the aisle trying to find a booth that they could ride in. They kept going until they reached the end of the train. Finn saw a booth with an empty seat. He shrugged and sat with the reluctant students inside, leaving Sam behind.

Sam looked into one of the very last compartments, Compartment CW. Only two others inhabited the room; a male with cocoa-brown hair around his age and a younger boy with russet hair and freckles. Sam slid the compartment door open slowly.

"Um, Hi, is it cool if I sit with you guys?" His voice cracked and he blushed slightly. As if he already didn't feel like a loser he was afraid he sounded like one. The older boy nodded, motioning with his hand to an empty seat. His face barely looked up at him. His eyes remained glued to the book in his lap. "Thanks." Sam sat down happily. The older brunette had blue lining and hems on his robes. His younger companion actually couldn't take his gaze away from Sam, sizing him up. His robes were similar to the student beside him, but with red hems.

"Rory I think he's a Yank." He said not taking his eyes off the peculiar specimen. He tugged on his brother's sleeve. He wiped the reddish locks that blocked his vision away to get a better look. His face was oily and his nose was a rather large part of it. He and his brother were alike in most features but his freckles that covered his entire face set him apart. The elder boy, Rory, snatched his sleeve back.

"So what?" Rory replied raising his eyes to glance at the boy in question. He blushed, Sam was more attractive than he had expected, he was well-built and his eyes seemed warm and endearing. "And don't use that word Seamus. It's wrong." Rory blushed.

"Don't tell me what to do Rory." Seamus complained. "It's bad enough I associate myself with ye, he'll ruin it completely for me." He stood with a pout. "I'm going to go find my friends."

Rory huffed as his brother stormed out. "I'm sorry about him." He said rubbing his temples, his face still red. Sam almost didn't realize he was talking to him. "He actually conforms to the whole American vs. English thing. I hope ye can forgive him." Sam nodded minutes later perplexed by the boy's noticeable accent.

"Of course." Sam assured. "That accent, is it Scottish?" He asked.

"No, it's Australian." Rory slowly closed the book in his lap.

Sam's eyes widened. He wasn't the smartest person alive, quite gullible in reality. "Really?"

"No, actually, it's Irish. I was just joking with ye." He laughed at the blonde. "I'm Rory by the way. Rory Flanagan, Sixth Year." He said extending his hand in kindness. Sam noticed what a nice smile the boy had. A pleasant change considering it was one of the first kind looks he received since he got on the train.

"Sam Evans." He replied shaking the boy's hand. Sam paused to convert his school year. "Sixth Year as well.

"So, yer from America?" Rory half questioned- half stated in an awkward attempt at making conversation. "What's the wizarding world like there? I've heard...well I haven't heard good things."

"Of course it's not as good as yours but…" Sam said staring out the window, remembering his family and all his old friends he was leaving behind. "We all go to school at this place called "The Institute for the Magically Gifted". I've been told the curriculum is way easier than at Hogwarts."

Rory nodded in agreement. "Just about every teacher at Hogwarts used to be a Ravenclaw so it's kind of advanced." Sam looked at him in confusion.

"What the devil is a Ravenclaw?"

"Oh good lord." He rolled his eyes. "Didn't they tell you anything about the school before you came? I'm not sure how they're going to do it, since you're obviously way past eleven, but you're supposed to get sorted when you first get to Hogwarts, and the sorting hat sorts you into one of four houses; Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin." Sam tried to process this in his head as quickly as Rory was going, again he wasn't the brightest.

"Okay, I get the other ones, but what the hell is a Hufflepuff?" Rory looked at him with a blank stare. "Right, go on then."

"Well Ravenclaw's, like m'self." He stated proudly, pointing to the blue lining on his robe. "Pride themselves on knowledge and wit. Gryffindor's, like my little brother Seamus who ran out earlier, are known for their bravery and daring. Hufflepuff's are known for being loyal and hardworking. Then there's Slytherin; the cunning and ambitious."

"So what am I?" Sam asked. He had asked this question to himself many times before. Only this time there was a definite answer.

"No one knows until ye put the sorting hat on. It can tell." Rory said. He fished through his robe, patting himself down. Then he pulled out his wand from one of his pockets. "This is my wand. It's almost identical to my mum's; she was a Ravenclaw too. Her and my da both went to Hogwarts." Sam went silent. This was beginning to turn into one of the conversations he tried to avoid back in America. Rory noticed the boy's saddened face "Anything wrong?" He asked.

"No, nothing." Sam said, looking out the window again. Rory could tell something was troubling him, but he assumed it was something Sam didn't want to reveal to a stranger.

Sam sat in silence watching the passing scenery. He had only just left America last night, and he already missed his family deeply. He thought of what they were doing right now. His father was probably getting ready to go on patrol with his police squadron. His mother was probably helping his little siblings, Stacy and Stevie, get ready for school. And he was riding a magical train taking him farther away from them, to a secluded castle where it would be difficult to even say 'hello'.

Rory could tell there was something on the boys mind. He felt sorry for Sam, he probably wasn't used to being away from his family for so long. Rory, however, was overjoyed to be away from his overbearing parents.

"Are you sure everything is alright?" He urged. Sam looked up and noticed the look of concern on Rory's face. He sighed.

"Yeah, I'm just not sure what this program has to offer me. The only thing I've gotten so far is spite and regret. Hopefully wherever I'm sorted will have someone else from the program in the same house as me. It'd be awful if I was all alone." Sam frowned. He didn't even connect with the other kids from his school. Even when he went to the institute, he never felt that he fit in.

"Being alone isn't all that bad. I would know." Rory said, absentmindedly twirling his wand at the ground. "Why would you be alone?" Sam asked. Rory seemed like a swell kid, nice, funny, and smart too. Rory fiddled with his sleeve for a second.

"I kind of...I just don't get along with people, that's all. Not many people want to be my friend." He said looking down into his lap. Sam reached out to touch the boy's shoulder. An awkward gesture that made Rory flinch at first, but friendly nonetheless.

"I'll be your friend." Sam immediately chastised himself for saying the cheesiest thing possible. Still he tried his hardest to give a smile that assured Rory he was being honest. Rory didn't really believe him though. He was bound to keep his distance once he heard the rumors.

"Thanks Sam. That means a lot." He lied. He'd heard it all before. Every year since his second year, on the train, from someone who didn't know him or never knew what actually happened. Rory assumed Sam would begin avoiding him by the second week of classes.

"I feel a little better already." Sam beamed. "Good to know I'll be starting off the year with one friend already made."

The students filed off of the train. Sam bid Rory a goodbye as he exited their compartment to search for Finn and the other foreign exchange students. The other students from the program had congregated at the front of the Hogwarts Express, similar to where she had left them at Kings Cross Station. Rory waved and gave Sam a thumbs up before leaving with the other students towards the castle, but unfortunately Sam had his back to the departing crowd.

Madame Sylvester showed up ten minutes after everyone else had left the station with a hooded boy following behind her.

"Alright maggots." Sylvester yanked the hood of her companion back swiftly. The boy was strikingly handsome. The flock of exchange kids were all taken aback by his gorgeous face. "This is Sebastian Smythe. He will be your 'guide' to Hogwarts. Any questions you have for me, address them to him because I don't give a flying whip about any of your concerns but Sebastian just might." Sebastian stepped up front. Sam noticed his robes were lined with green fabric. He must've been a Slytherin if he recalled correctly. Sebastian had a sly smile on his face as he sized up the group of teenagers. Madame Sylvester began leading the group up to the school. While they walked Sebastian addressed the crowd.

"Hello, Yanks. I am Sebastian Smythe," He reintroduced himself. Sam shuddered at the word Yanks and he didn't know why he felt offended by that word. "I am a Sixth Year Slytherin prefect. If you need me, you can find me in the Slytherin Common Room. Do not address me in the hallways or the Great Hall, I will ignore you because, well really, none of you are worth my time." Sam exchanged looks with Finn. Sam could hear his friend Kurt in the back asking if this guy was serious. "It's best that we establish the idea in your feeble American minds that I am your superior in just about everything, therefore you will only talk when I address you. And one more piece of advice. Do not bring up The Battle of Hogwarts. They've arranged passes so that you will not be present in any class that will be going over the battle." He stopped and turned around at them. "Is everything clear?" The students looked at him, all with looks of equal disdain and loathing. Madame Sylvester turned around, angry that they stopped moving.

"He said. Is. That. Clear." She sneered. The students nodded.

"Thank you Madame Sue." Sebastian said, giving her a glowing smile.

A few minutes later they entered the lobby of the Hogwarts castle. Madame Sylvester, or Madame Sue as she apparently liked being called, told them to wait in front of two large oak doors. Sam could hear cheering and clapping from the other side and a loud booming voice yelling out "Gryffindor". Madame Sue left Sebastian in charge as she went inside to announce their arrival.

"When you get inside the Great Hall, You will be sorted into one of four houses."

Sebastian explained. Sam zoned out as he began describing the houses. He completely understood the way the houses were set up from Rory's explanation. He began gazing around, admiring the architecture of the castle. This place was so much more elaborate than The Institute. Finn elbowed him in the side, halfway through Sebastian's instructions.

"After you are sorted into your house, you will sit with them at their table. I'm pretty sure you'll be able to recognize your table. It will be the group of idiots screaming wildly if you are sorted with them. The sorting will start with the Seventh Years first."

Seconds later, the large double doors opened. Sebastian confidently strutted down the aisle and presented the group to Madame Sue, who held a rolled up piece of parchment in her hands. The foreign exchange students formed a single filed line in front of a stool with an old wizard's hat on it. Madame Sue unrolled the parchment and read a name.

"Berry, Rachel." She yelled. A short girl in a plaid skirt skipped up to the stool. She flashed a smile and gazed at her future classmates brilliantly. Stretching her sweater down as she sat, Rachel breathed and hummed a bit to calm herself. The hat rested upon her head for a full second before bellowing out "Slytherin" Rachel's smile quickly faded. "Wait, that can't be right. That's the bad house." She grabbed at Madame Sue's wrist, to her own demise as Sue yanked it away just as quickly. "That hat is wrong, it must be defective, I'm supposed to be a Gryffindor!" Sue pushed her away towards the other Slytherin who were cheering madly. Sam and Finn laughed with each other, but inside Sam wondered how this was a good idea. The English students already held some grudge against them, so now they were being put on display so the entire castle knew who to abhor.

"Fabray, Quinn." Sue called next. Quinn waved her hair back and walked smoothly to the hat. "Ravenclaw" Sue continued calling out names.

"Hudson, Finn" "Gryffindor"

"Hummel, Kurt" "Hufflepuff"

"Jones, Mercedes" "Gryffindor"

"Lopez, Santana" "Slytherin"

"Pierce, Brittany" "Hufflepuff"

"Puckerman, Noah" "Slytherin"

"Cohen-Chang, Tina" "Ravenclaw"

Soon Sam was the only person left standing in the middle of the Great Hall. Sam's stomach felt queasy. Everyone's eyes were on him. Rory watched him with a smile, hoping he'd be sorted into Ravenclaw.

"Evans, Sam" Sue called. The blonde tried his best to look cool and confident. Sam slowly made his way to the stool. He looked around trying to find Rory in the table with the dominant blue color. Before he could find the Irish boy Sue had placed, more like shoved, the hat onto his head. The hat hummed. Sam was beginning to worry when he realized the hat was taking longer than it did with the others. He was being put on the spot even more than the others.

"Hmmm," The hat finally spoke. "Yes a very, very nice one. Very loyal yet there's a desire to get ahead. Not very bright. Could do Gryffindor, yes, very brave. But you're hard working and you're modesty and patience would work great in Hufflepuff. Oh how bright your future is. A lot of great things will become you. A very fine wizard you shall be." The hat spoke into his head. Sam tensed up. It felt like something was feeling underneath his scalp. "A good old-fashioned wizard, very different from these others." Sam wondered what was taking so long. He looked out into the Great Hall and saw Rory eagerly awaiting his sorting. Rory's infectious smile caused Sam to relax under the pressure. "Gryffindor!" The hat bellowed. Sam frowned. He looked back at Rory who still clapped for him. He smiled despite how disappointed he was that he wouldn't be sorted into the same house as his new friend.

Sam found a seat next to Finn and Mercedes at the Gryffindor table. A few other students gave him pats on the shoulders and welcomed him while most just clapped while trying not to acknowledge them.

An old man stood up after Sam sat down. His face was clean shaven, and he had a head full of silver hair. His robes were a navy blue and he looked like Sam's great grandfather except without the unintelligible remarks and outdated clothing.

"Who is that?" Sam asked.

"That's Headmaster Alden." A Hispanic looking girl answered. She introduced herself as Sugar Motta, shaking Sam's hand. "Anyways, he is one of the most brilliant wizards of his generation."

The Headmaster welcomed the first year students and gave a particular welcome to the foreign exchange students. Alden greeted the American wizards and promised them a welcoming hand would be extended by the entire staff to give them the best experience possible. He gave a few other announcements to the rest of the school and then he removed his wand from his robes and flicked it in the air. Large plates of every food imaginable appeared on the table; hamburgers, baklava, Turkish delight, all in abundance. Sam's goblet began filling itself with Coke, Sam's preferred drink. With this, Headmaster Alden began the first term.

At the Ravenclaw table, Blaine eyed the incoming students. He paused and looked over Sam with intrigue. He was the most attractive of the group, Blaine sighed and turned towards his friend. "Well, I see someone already has dibs on the cute blonde one." Blaine nudged Rory with a smile. Rory blushed and smiled back.

"Wha- What? What are ye talking about?" He stammered. Rory always felt uncomfortable when Blaine talked about boys with him. Of course he liked Sam, and he was very aesthetically pleasing but he wasn't confident in relationships that went beyond acquaintances.

"You haven't taken your eyes off of that Evans kid since he came in the door." Blaine pointed out. Rory stared down at his plate, his face turning redder. "It's okay, you can have him. I've got my eyes on the cute Hufflepuff anyways. "He said pointing back at the student called Kurt. "So when are you going to make your move?" Rory glanced over at the Gryffindor table. Sam was laughing with his friends having a great time. Rory shook his head in disappointment.

"We talked on the train the whole ride here. He's cool and funny. And yeah, kinda cute, but I'm pretty sure he's not like that. Besides, he's probably never going to talk to me again once he hears about what happened in our first year."

"Rory, you're going to have to stop beating yourself up about that. It was an accident, you couldn't control it. It's not your fault." Blaine comforted him.

"Well I know that now." Rory sighed. "But Sam won't see it like you do. He, like everyone else at this school, will see me as a monster. It's bad enough you and Seamus have to deal with crap because you acknowledge my existence. He's already got it bad 'cus he's American. It's just all too much. I can't do that to him."

Blaine nodded in agreement. He could understand his reasons for not wanting to try anything, but he had sat by and watched multiple times as Rory let people who wanted to get to know him pass by without opening up to them. Blaine grinned as he looked back at the table of Gryffindor's.

"Hey Rory," He said nudging him. He pointed at the adjacent table. Rory looked up from his food. Sam was waving madly with a big smile on his face. Rory chuckled. He waved back, giving him a thumbs up.

The boy was something else. Rory went back to talking to Blaine, happier than before. Maybe Sam would be different than everyone else...Well he was American.