This is my first story so I'm sorry if things are a bit jumbled, please give me feedback on what you think so far. Thanks for reading so far, P x
I don't own any of the Harry Potter characters apart from Skye Rose and Carrie Jennson and Paige Hayle.

Two.
Albus Dumbledore.

One week after my sixteenth birthday I came home to hear a man's voice as well as my mum's. Weird how it had been five years since Anieu had come to me as a baby and now she was a full grown wolf. She wasn't confined to the house but she was always there in the morning to wake me up. I'd pretty much mastered my "gift" if you could call it that. The main up side to it was I had an uncanny sense of people, I always knew if they were lying or if they were worth knowing. I hadn't told a soul about it as my mum, gran and I had agreed all those years ago. All the magical home-schooling and my friends being at their own schools really made me distant from them all. There was still a small part of me that longed for that Hogwarts life I was deprived off. Mum was an extraordinary teacher though, understanding and with vast knowledge- I never understood why she didn't become one.

The voices were coming from the kitchen. I walked in to see a spectacular looking man. He wore long billowy robes and buckled boots. He had a long silver beard and equally long hair tied back. Over his eyes sat half mooned spectacles and he had the kind of eyes that looked as if they'd lived a thousand lives. I got a good vibe from him and also a powerful one. He was clearly a very important man. Also, very familiar. Had I read about him before?

"Paige! You're home, lovely. Oh Paige, I want you to meet Albus Dumbledore the headmaster of Hogwarts, and a dear friend," she said with a smile.

"Miss Hayle, it is indeed a pleasure! You're mother was once a student and a truly gifted one at that. I hear you too have her talents," he said with a warm voice.

"Thank you, it's nice to meet you Professor," I said politely. Yes, of course Dumbledore was highly renowned in the wizarding world.

"You are probably wondering why I am here?" he asked.
I nodded as my mum pulled out a seat and refilled Professor Dumbledore's cup with tea.

"As I've just told dear Bella here, I have the feeling dark times are approaching and I feel most fiercely that the best place for you to fully learn and achieve is at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. If you accept, then in two weeks from now- September first- you will be enrolled at our school as a sixth year," he explained. I felt like I was eleven all over again and wishing on my cake.

"Yes! Of course, please!" I erupted all at once.

"Excellent!" Dumbledore smiled. That was pretty much that.

"Wait, Anieu...," I began awkwardly.

"Yes, your mother has informed me all about your gift," he smiled and I looked to my mum for reassurance even though I knew I could trust him. She nodded.

"The wolf you have called Anieu will come with me if you don't mind and I'm sure will find a substantial home in our forests," he continued kindly. Everything was perfect.

"Perfect, I can't wait!" I eeped. I was actually giddy.

"Well, Bella, Miss Hayle, I bid you my thanks and goodbye. I will see you in the new term, goodbye," he called as Anieu trotted up behind him, "Oh and Bella I hope one day you take up my offer to become a teacher at Hogwarts, you know you are always welcome." I looked to her with a small smile and a burst of pride went through me. They both- Dumbledore and Anieu- apparted out of the kitchen. I looked to mum in shock and delight and she held a big smile. I was really going to Hogwarts. Alone. When everyone already knew each other for the past five years. Great.


The next two weeks were more than a little hectic. A whole day trip to Diagon Alley and I had all I would need to tackle my sixth year at Hogwarts. Sixth year? First really. I had everything apart from, you know, friends. I spent the next few days reading through my books in a desperate attempt to prepare myself but ultimately I knew I'd keep up. It was the whole "new kid" thing that bothered me the most. It was the day before I had to go to Hogwarts and my mum was attempting to give me a pep talk of sorts.

"Honestly, you'll be fine you know you will. Hogwarts is the best school in the country, it's where I went. You'll have the time of your life sweetie. I'm just, just sorry that it's now you're going. I just didn't want you to get hurt. You had so much power and you were just my little girl, I didn't know what to do," she half sobbed. I gave her a big hug,

"I know mum, it's okay. It was for the best, I was so scared. You did a great job, you really are a wonderful teacher," I smiled, "You should take Professor Dumbledore up on his offer."

"Oh I don't know," she said bashfully.

"You should!" I insisted.

"It's just that place, there's so many memories for me I think it could be too much," she admitted. I knew she was talking about dad again. I sighed and tactfully changed the subject.

"I am really excited though. Promise to take me all the way to the train," I giggled.

"Of course I will and you better remember to write to me all the time," she said getting a bit teary eyed.

"Of course," I laughed returning her embrace.

"I love you," she said.

"I love you too," I said.


It was a disgustingly early start for me but a calm day at least. Everything was packed and all I had to do was get dressed and we were off. I brushed my past my shoulders length brunette locks, they were a bit wavy because I'd just come out the shower. I eye linered my blue eyes with their golden flecks and smiled. I looked okay. Well, I'd have to do because my mumma was shouting on me. The drive to London was about an hour and then we were on the busy, grubby King's Cross. In the dense crowd it was impossible to tell who was magical and who was muggle. That was until we reached the wall between Platform Nine and Ten.

"What?" I said mouth agape.

"Run toward the wall, magic honey. It's real," she winked as I scowled.

Okay here goes my face. I ran and ran and wow. I went through the fricking wall! Our world never seized to amaze me. The great red train was amazing. I saw my mum go tight lipped but she smiled when she caught my eye. Unfortunately this was as far as she could go. After a hug we said our goodbyes and my luggage and I clambered into an empty compartment. Empty- this was going to be my whole year wasn't it. Me in a big compartment alone. Well, that was until the door was seized open and a chic, raven haired girl strutted in.

"Hey, do you mind if we sit here? The train's filled up as always. I haven't seen you before, what year are you in?" she asked all at once.
I nodded and she and two other girls came in. All three of them were absolutely stunning in their own way.

"Sixth year but I'm new this is like my first year," I explained as the black haired girl and a red haired girl sat across from me. The blonde girl sat beside me and gave me a friendly smile.

"Well welcome! You should stick with us, we'll look after you. Won't we ladies?" the black hair girl beamed. They all nodded in agreement.

"I'm Carrie, Carrie Jensson," the black haired girl said. I shook her hand. I got a good feeling from her; she was obviously confident and full of life. Her aura was beaming.

"I'm Lily Evans," the red haired girl said with a wide smile. As she shook my hand I felt her fierce loyalty and strong mindedness. She was a good person, she had a good heart.

"Skye Rose," the cheery blonde girl beside me chirped. I shook her hand too. She was just a bubble of optimism. I could feel myself warming to her quickly.

"I'm Paige Hayle, thanks Carrie. I mean I was freaking out about being Loner Girl for a whole year," I half laughed and they joined in.

"Do you know what house you're in? Usually you get sorted in first year," Lily said.

"Oh no, what's the houses?" I said, man I was clueless.

"Aw honey, we'll fill you in about everything you need to know about Hogwarts," Skye said putting her hand on my shoulder with a sympathetic smile.

"The teachers, the classes...," Lily started.

"The parties, sneaking out...," Carrie continued with a quick glare from Lily.

"The boys," Skye finished with a giggle. I smiled as I realised that these girls could turn into lifelong friends.

We chatted for ages and it felt so natural. We laughed and made fun of each other and they gave me all the vital gossip. It turned out there were four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Slytherin was a no go as far as the girls told me. It was a house of blood status fanatics. All three of the girls were in Gryffindor- that's where they'd met in first year.

"I better be in Gryffindor," I sulked thinking about what would happen if I wasn't. I'd just made friends, I didn't need them taken away from me already.

"Don't worry about it," Skye smiled. I was beginning to think I liked her best. Lily and Carrie were lovely too though. I'd quickly discovered Lily was the smart, straight laced one; Carrie was the party girl and Skye was the happy go lucky one.

"Besides, the Sorting Hat does take your opinion into consideration," Carrie winked.

"So speaking of boys, do you ladies have anyone special?" I said waggling my eyebrows as they laughed.

"Well, I've been having this on off thing with a total dream boat Ravenclaw named Phoenix. He's really exotic," Carrie smiled.

"Carrie gets all the guys," Skye said dramatically and then giggled making her blonde ringlets bounce.

"Me and Skye are single although someone's heart is irrevocably taken," Lily teased. Skye went an amusing shade of red.

"Shut up Lily! Hey Paige, you should ask her about James Potter," Skye smirked evilly.

"Who?" I said interestedly. Lily's brow furrowed but before she could answer the compartment doors were opened by a good looking carefree lad.

"Evans! So good to see you my little Lily-flower, ready for another year together?" the boy with black messy hair asked. She glared at him furiously.

"Not even a tiny little bit Potter," she hissed. Ah, so this must have been James. Then his eyes fell onto me.

"New girl?" he enquired.

"Paige Hayle," I answered.

"James Potter, at your service," he bowed dramatically and I stifled a laugh.

"Nice to meet you," I said politely.

"Hope to see you in Gryffindor," he grinned making his features more defined. He looked like a right cheeky chappy but completely harmless.

"Oi Prongs! Is that you harassing old Lily Evans again?" a voice rang with an air of mischief, "Well, well, well and who do we have here?" he asked pushing his way into the compartment.

"You my friend are a dog," James laughed as the boy gave him a side glance. Well, he was- in short- gorgeous. Honestly, he had messy dark hair and these sparkling grey eyes and really, really nice arms. Don't drool- that's not attractive Paigey.

"Hello there, I'm Sirius Black and you are?" he asked pulling me out of my day dream.

"Paige Hayle," I said again, I guessed I'd be doing a lot of introducing my first few days.

"Enchanter," he said kissing my hand and my God, I blushed. Slick.

"Carrie, already made the social calendar up have you?" Sirius asked while squeezing in beside me.

His arm made its way over my shoulder. I just kind of froze. I didn't know what I was feeling but I was all tingly and embarrassed. This was something I'm sure Carrie had noticed.

"Of course I have Sirius, you know that anything that's worth going to- I know about," she winked.

"Looking forward to another year Evans?" Sirius smirked at Lily. She looked highly unimpressed.

"Between you and Potter it will be just as insufferable as the last," she quipped back with a sharp smile.

"Touché," he nodded with a laugh.

"James, Sirius I'd wondered where you two ignoramuses had gotten to," a playful sarcastic voice said from behind James. In came a sandy haired boy who was also good looking but in a more subtle way. I felt Skye clench up beside me.

"Mooney just in time, we're all getting acquainted with the new girl," James said shooting a grin my way.

"New girl? Ah, hello. I'm Remus Lupin," he said quietly and with a polite hand extension.

"Paige Hayle," I said once again. I should have really gotten myself a name badge. Whoa. Feral. That's what I felt when I shook his hand, a strong sense of wildness, of pain and secrecy. He almost noticed my wide eyes but I quickly shook it off and gave him a kind smile.

"Hey Skye," he said shyly. She smiled a little too much and said "hey" back. Cute.

"Remus," Lily grinned, ah so at last one of them she liked.

"Lily," he said returning her smile. They were good friends I figured.

"Where is Wormtail?" Sirius asked- arm still around me. I was going like jelly.

"H-Here Sirius," a small voice said. A shorter boy with a dark blonde hair colour squeezed in. He wasn't as good looking as the other three but he seemed nice enough. By this time Lily and James had gotten themselves into a heated debate about quite frankly- nothing. I could see he was enjoying winding her up a lot.

"This is Peter Pettigrew, Wormtail this is Paige Hayle," Sirius said with an adorably sexy half smile. He extended his hand shakily and I touched it gently. I immediately jumped back. Black. Evil. Traitor. He gave me a hurtful and confused look.

"C-Cold hands," I said quickly, "I'm sorry, it's nice to meet you," I said with a really, really big smile which seemed to ease him. I couldn't shake the wrongness of that boy. The feeling I'd gotten had been cold.

"Well troops, I think we ought to leave these lovely ladies to get changed," Sirius piped, "Hope to catch you at the Gryffindor table," he winked as he got up to leave. Oh my.

"Ladies," Remus said before following Sirius.

"Until we meet again Evans," James waved. Then Peter scurried out behind him. Once the door was shut again I looked to the girls.

"I hate that boy. Honestly, Potter is the most pig-headed, arrogant sod I have ever had the misfortune of meeting!" she snapped.

"You'll get used to the Potter/Evans love/hate relationship," Carrie laughed.

"They've been arguing from day one," Skye added.

"James has been madly in love with Lils here since day one too," Carrie added. Lily looked really annoyed at that fact.

"Stupid Potter," she grumbled.

"You like Remus," I said wryly.

"W-what! What are you...," Skye started with her cheeks going bright pink.

"He's nice, polite," I smiled. Her blush began to calm as she got her cool back.

"Yeah, I like him. A lot. Since like, third year," she admitted all at once.

"Skye refuses to believe she has a chance with him," Carrie said.

"So they smile at each other and she laughs at his jokes but neither of them will grow a pair and admit they're crazy for one another," Lily explained as Skye protested with splutters.

"So, Sirius Black," Carrie said with one of her thin, black eyebrows raised.

"Oh Paige no, he's a git," Lily said.

"I saw you're little smile there," Carrie went on.

"I don't know, I mean I just met him. He's good looking and charming I guess," I said tactfully.

"That's Sirius for you," Skye said with a sad smile.

"He's charming like a snake," Lily said with spite.

"What my two dear friends are trying to say is he's a player. The most desirable guy in our year and he's had almost every girl- twice. He has an, incapability, to commit to anything you see," Carrie explained. My face fell.

"Oh," was all I said.

"Just be careful okay?" Skye said with concern.

"I mean if he hurts you Lils will jinx him into the next dimension," Carrie warned and then we all had a good laugh which defused any tension.

"We're almost there," Lily said with an anxious grin.

"We better get changed," Carrie said. Her and Lily got up to do just that, before Skye and I followed she stopped.

"I'll be crossing all my fingers for you," she smiled with her bright, bright blue eyes sparkling.

"Thank you Skye," I said and she pulled me into a quick hug. I'd have my fingers crossed too. It seemed being in Gryffindor would certainly be...interesting.


From the train we were taken by carriages (that pulled themselves!) to a huge, looming yet utterly enchanting castle. The castle. It was Hogwarts. I'd finally made it. My mouth stayed gaping as I made my way into the castle itself. Everything was absolutely beautiful! There was magic in every crack in the wall, every tile on the floor, every painting, and every candle. The place was beyond words. It was surreal. I became confused as I realised I couldn't follow the girls into the Great Hall and sit at the Gryffindor table. Dread grew in my stomach. Would I have to be sorted with the First Years? That would be so embarrassing, everyone's eyes on me- the tall girl in the sea of eleven year old newbies. I could feel my stomach churning when someone tapped my shoulder. I jumped before realising it was Professor Dumbledore!

"Sir," I said.

"Come quickly Miss Hayle," he ushered and I followed him into a small room near the hall. He held something in his hand...an old, dusty hat.

"I hope you are settling in well. A good bunch of girls they are: Miss Evans, Miss Jensson and Miss Rose," he smiled with his kind, twinkling eyes. Out of everyone I'd met he was the hardest to read. If I truly wanted to work out Albus Dumbledore I'd have to look into the darkest corners of his inner self and that was something I would have never done.

"Come, come," he ushered as he placed the old, enchanted hat on my head. I almost screamed when it sprang to life and started talking in my ear.
"Ah yes, yes here is a brain to be picked. One of two sides: great talent, dedication and a will power to persevere yet bravery, loyalty and a great need to care. You'd do well in Slytherian," the hat whispered, my heart froze, "Then again you would do well in GRYFFINDOR," the hat shouted. I set out the biggest sigh in the world.

"Thank you! Thank you!" I gushed.

"Yes now run along and enjoy the rest of the evening. I must take the hat to the hall for the Sorting Ceremony. Truly, welcome Miss Hayle. You will do extraordinary things," he smiled in a knowing way that both scared me and made me happy. He left swiftly after that. As the first years nervously shuffled into the hall, I slipped in behind them.

"Hey," I said quietly as the ceremony had already began.

"Paige!" Skye exclaimed. I'd slipped in beside her at the Gryffindor table. She was tapping Carrie excitedly on the shoulder. She whipped around annoyed until she saw me.

"Paige!" she shouted quietly. I returned her smile as she leaned over to give my shoulder a good tap.

She then hoarsely got Lily's attention who looked delighted but of course had to stay quiet for the ceremony. We all contained our excitement in order to let the first years find their places and have Professor Dumbledore do his welcome speech. After that the feast commenced. Oh. My. God. I had never eaten so much food in all my life. I could definitely get used to Hogwarts. As the table began to clear our chatter became more relaxed.

"I can't believe you're in Gryffindor, this is fantastic!" Skye eeped.

"I know, I know. It's unbelievable," I said, I couldn't stop grinning.

"This is going to be the best year yet," Lily gushed.

"You're going to fit in quite nicely I think Paigey," Carrie smirked. The welcoming feeling they gave me was amazing. I felt like I was home.

"Hey Gryffindor, you made it," James Potter grinned as he shimmed down the table to sit across from us.

"I did," I beamed.

"It's definitely a treat," Sirius smirked.

"Down boy," Remus laughed and there was Peter, skulking. Light conversation took us away into the late evening. I noticed those looks Carrie had told me Remus and Skye shared. There were an awful lot of them. Sirius stared at me quite a bit and admittedly I found myself doing the same from time to time. Gorgeous. Player.I didn't need that, I'd been taught better than that. I had more respect for myself than to knowingly let myself be played but that didn't mean I couldn't still look, right? Then again, every time he made a joke I laughed and when he laughed at what I said I couldn't help feeling...out of this world. The time came for us to head to bed though. There was one heck of a first day ahead of me. Transfiguration, charms, potions...I was interested in learning how to heal you see. I wanted to be able to help people. The Gryffindor common room was really cosy and had a fire that never stopped burning and the comfiest furniture.

"Goodnight Skye," Remus said ever politely but never breaking direct eye contact with her.

"Goodnight, Remus," she blushed.

"Goodnight my little Lily-flo...," James started before dodging a jinx from Lily's wand. Here were the sixth years- setting an example. I saw Peter stare longingly at Carrie like most boys had that day.

"Night," she said to him before sashaying up the dormitory stairs. He almost fainted. Everyone made their way up to the bedrooms apart from Sirius. I looked at him curiously as I lingered at the bottom of the stairs. He hesitated for a bit before looking at me with those confident eyes and that smile.

"I'm glad you came here Paige, I think you'll definitely shake things up," he smirked edging closer towards me.

"I think that's a very likely possibility," I said quietly. Was I flirting?

"This will be an interesting year then," he said, his face almost touching mine. I would have whimpered but something was making me hold my stance.

"Very interesting," I whispered before leaning closer to him so we were virtually half a centimetre from each other. Then I curled my lips into a smile.

"Goodnight Sirius," I said before walking away. I would not fall for Sirius Black. I would not be played. I pushed our room's door open and found my luggage placed neatly on my bed. I pulled my trunk onto the floor before changing into pyjamas.

"Did you see Remus smile at me? Doesn't he have the nicest smile?" Skye was gushing.

"Oh it's just the cutest," Carrie said sarcastically. Skye sighed dreamily.

"He's scared," I said suddenly. Skye looked at me, "Remus' scared to tell you what he's feeling," I smiled. I had no idea where that had come from but the other girls seemed to agree.

"He's a shy boy," Lily nodded. Skye sighed again and snuggled under her covers.

"I wished he felt the same," she whispered before drifting off. Next to sleep was Carrie.

"Paige?" Lily asked quietly.

"Yeah Lils?" I replied.

"You and Sirius? Did you talk?" she asked softly.

"Yeah he was just saying he was glad I came and then he got really, really close to me but I walked away," I smiled at my own will power.

"Good girl," she smiled before we both fell asleep.

R&R please!