Disclaimer: I own no original Harry Potter places, characters, spells, etc. I only created Chelsea Riddle and Nellie O'Malley (which was originally based off of the American Girl), the rest belongs to JK Rowling. Please, still enjoy! :)

Chelsea Riddle: The New Girl

The students in the entrance hall fell silent, as a blonde haired, bright-blue eyed girl walked through. She stopped at the staircase, looking perplexed at a piece of paper in her hand. "Need some help?" a red-haired boy came over. "Um, sure. I mean, yes, please," the girl stuttered nervously. The boy went to take the paper, but the girl yanked it away. "Er, well, where are you trying to go?" he asked, a confused look played on his face, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Professor Dumbledore's office," she replied, avoiding as much eye contact as possible.

The red-haired boy grinned. "Right this way, m'lady," he bowed slightly. The girl grinned sheepishly and blushed as she passed. They walked in silence. Uncomfortable silence, but at least she didn't have to talk, or introduce herself. "I'm Fred, by the way, Fred Weasley," the boy, named Fred, held out his hand. She looked at it, studying it. Fred leaned forward and took hers to shake it. "Erm," Fred cleared his throat. "What's your name?" Of course, he had to ask. Why couldn't he just leave well enough alone? As she was searching frantically for a way out, the statue ahead of them spun open to reveal a tall, thin, white hair and bearded man with half-moon spectacles. "Ah, Chelsea, it's good to see you. I see you've already met one of the Weasleys," his old, chapped voice greeted her. She smiled at him slightly and nodded. "Well, thank you for escorting our newest student, Mr. Weasley, but I can take it from here." Fred nodded, smiled at the girl named Chelsea, and waved goodbye as he walked back down the corridor.

"Come, this way," Professor Dumbledore ushered Chelsea into the secret passage, exited at the top, and lead her into his dimly lit office. He gestured for her to take a seat, before sliding into his own high-backed chair behind a large desk. "The sorting will take place tonight, at the feast, even though you are a bit late into the school year," the headmaster spoke mildly. "Sir, I appreciate this, I really do, but I'm not sure that it was such a good idea having me come to Hogwarts," Chelsea said, nervously. "No need to worry, my dear. You are in no danger and neither is Mr. Potter. There are far to many enchantments on this castle, for anything to go wrong," he reassured her. Chelsea nodded respectfully. ~You don't know my father very well then~ she thought. "Can we keep my last name a secret?" she asked, quietly. "Of course, but remember our choices determine who we are, not our backgrounds or family names," the olds wizard smiled at her warmly, peering over his spectacles with raised eyebrows. For that moment, for that one moment, Chelsea Riddle felt content.