Excitement and anticipation filled the air around the heads of the students at Hogwarts. The Great Hall was buzzing with mixed conversations and chatting. This year the hall was not filled with laughter. The events of last year still stood in the back of everyone's mind.
Up at the long head table, a small, old woman sat in a chair two times her size. Just last year this chair had been filled by Albus Dumbledore, but now his final resting place was twelve feet under the ground of Hogwarts.
After Dumbledore's death, Harry cut himself off from the world. He barely ate or talked to anyone the first month of summer. His friends finally pulled him out of his rut and they spent the last two months of holiday searching the wizarding world for Voldemort's Horcuxes.
With much persuasion, Hermione finally got Harry to agree to return to school the next year.
"Dumbledore would want you to finish your education, Harry," she had said to him. Harry knew, deep down, that she was right and decided to finish his last year of schooling.
Now, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Neville, and Luna sat together at the Gryffindor table waiting for the welcoming feast to begin. But Harry's thoughts were on other things. Over the summer, Hermione, Ron, and him had found all but two horcuxes. One, Harry knew, was the soul still embedded in Voldemort himself, but the other was a complete mystery. All he did know was that he must them quick or he was dead for sure.
Professor McGonagall stood up from her chair and the hall was silenced. She took a breath and spoke calmly saying, "I'd like to welcome all of you back to Hogwarts this year." She paused momentarily at this part and looked down at the table in front of her. "Last year's events," she continued, "were devastating. As you all know, after Albus Dumbledore's death, I am taking over as headmistress." The hall remained silent. "Dumbledore was a great man and wizard and I know he wouldn't want us to grieve on his behalf. Therefore, we must prove to Dumbledore that we will stay strong in the presence of danger." Her voice started to fade and water rained down from her red, blood-shot eyes. She sniffled, and looked up again at the sea of faces turned upright towards her. Muffled sobs could be heard throughout the hall and conversation erupted again.
Harry remained quiet, still remaining eye contact with the professor. She shifted her glance over to him and their eyes met for a second, but she quickly turned back to the students and changed the subject.
She wiped her teary eyes and went on, "Well… on a happier note," she smiled softly, "We are delighted to gain a new student to Hogwarts this year." At this moment the silence was broken and all turned to there friends, questioning the new arrival.
"Settle down, settle down," McGonagall said. "She will be joining the seventh years and I must warn you not to be alarmed upon her arrival. Yes, she may be different from us, but she still has feelings. I want you all to welcome her warmly to our school. Understand?"
"Yes, professor," the students chimed.
"Well," she clapped her hands together. "Let's bring her out here." She extended her arm towards the two, tall bronze doors of the Great Hall. "I'd like to introduce you to our new student, Rachel…"
All eyes turned towards the doors, but they stood unmoved. McGonagall looked at the teachers and then the door, perplexed.
"Well, I… this… this is quite unusual. Maybe I told her to come tomor-" she trailed off as the large doors opened slowly and a girl walked inside the silent hall.
She wore a short, blue jean skirt and bright pink halter with long, black, high-heeled boots. Her dark brown-black hair swayed behind her as she approached the head table. Her eyes were concealed by large black sunglasses and an old cowboy hat. All eyes were on her and every boy's mouth dropped to their knees.
The girl stepped on the first stair in front of the table, turned around, and took off her sunglasses. She stood silent with no emotion showing in her tanned face. She looked over her shoulder at the equally stunned Professor McGonagall, lifted her hand and nodded saying, "Hey."
"Uh… Good morning," McGonagall replied, her brow furrowed. "Um, are you… perhaps Rachel?"
"That's what they call me," the girl said turning back towards the hall.
"Well, uh…. You…. Welcome to Hogwarts, Rachel!" she said lifted up her hands.
The hall made no movement, no sound. All eyes were on the strange new-comer standing before them.