Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. If I did, why would I write on fanfiction where I'd get no money for what I'm writing...? I do, however; own the original characters and places.
Also, it still stands that what's happened in books 1-6 happened. Except for the Draco part, because we all love Draco and it'd suck without him.
Aaaaand I don't care if J.K. Rowling stated that Sirius didn't have a child, OBVIOUSLY in this story he does. Okay? Okay.
Hidden Pasts:
The First Day:
Serenity sat inside the compartment smiling slightly and looking back and forth as the conversation bounced around from person to person. Ginny Weasley, Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood sat along one side, across from her and Harry. A colorful boy who had introduced himself as "Ron, Ronald Weasley" had left with the bushy haired girl named Hermione. Something about having to take care of Prefect duties. She had been sitting with the group for about half an hour when the compartment door flew open and three boys stood smirking down at the five inside, all six eyes landing on her.
"What do you want Malfoy?" Ginny snapped as she looked up at the boy with strikingly blonde hair.
"Heard we had a new student and she had been stuck with you lot. Thought she might prefer ...better company." His eyes locked on Serenity's for a moment.
"Are you serious? That's why you came here?" Ginny asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well what, did you think I just came by to say "hi"?" He asked with an eyebrow equally raised. Everyone's eyes turned towards Serenity.
"Who are you?" Serenity asked quietly.
"Draco Malfoy, pure blood wizard and proud Slytherin." He said quickly, puffing out his chest in the process.
"Uh huh, well, Draco, I'm fine with the company I have as of now. See you around." With that she turned and stared out the window, she was in no position to turn down friends, but had no intentions to walk out on the first person who cared to talk to her. "Very well, but, mind you, take extra care on where you place your alliances around this place." With the statement hanging in the air, he walked away and Harry leaned over to shut the compartment door.
"Ignore him and his bodyguards." Harry said to Serenity.
"Don't worry about it. What was up with him anyways?"
"Long story. To make it short, he's an ass with too much money."
"Well, we have a long train ride."
"She has a point, Harry. Might as well fill her in." Ginny said matter of factly to her ex-boyfriend. With a sigh Harry started in on the story, starting with the first encounter he had with Malfoy. As he told of the past 6 years, with help from Neville, Luna and Ginny, time passed quickly and soon Hermione and Ron were back.
"Should change into our robes now, we'll be getting to the castle soon. If you look out the window you should be able to see the castle in a few minutes, Serenity." Hermione said as she entered the cabin. With a mumbled "yeah" from everyone else, they stood up to reach their trunks.
Everyone filed out of the train as the normal first night noises filled the air.
"First years! This way!" Rang out from the end of the platform. Followed shortly by a "New students! Arcana! Over here!" coming from a small witch with a hat sitting on her head that was easily half as tall as she was.
"Professor Page! What are you doing here?" Serenity let out in a gasp.
"Ahh Miss Empire! Well when a school closes, the teachers lose their jobs as well. Hogwarts was in need of a Potions master, and here I am!" She said with a smile crossing her lips. "If you'll just stand over here next to me dear, we'll round up the other two and be on our way."
"Harry! I'll see you guys inside!" She called out before joining her professor. He gave her a short wave and a smile before walking with his friends to climb into the carriages.
As everyone got comfortable around the familiar tables and great hall, two groups of students came walking in. As usual there was the terrified looking first years led by Professor Flitwick. Coming up behind them were three older students, Serenity amongst them. The two others appeared to be younger, maybe fourth or fifth year. All of them looked around at the hall, assessing and perhaps comparing to Arcana. They all lined up in front of the tattered old hat and waited patiently for it to start its speech. It was similar to what it had been for the past couple of years, telling everyone to be united and to stick together. As its speech came to a close Flitwick advanced and picked up the hat, explaining to the new students what they were suppose to do. With a quick look around the hall, lingering for a second on Professor McGonagall, Flitwick called up the first student. After the first years were sorted, everyone turned their attention to the new students.
"This year is a very special one for Hogwarts. Due to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's return there has been many parents and powerful wizards who feel all schools should be shut down and the students should stay home, obviously Hogwarts was saved from this theory. However, some schools were shut down, one being Arcana which is located in Ireland. For the students who wished to continue with their studies they have been allowed to attend another wizarding school. These three students before me were placed at Hogwarts. They too will now be sorted into a house. So, Miss Serenity Empire would you please have a seat and follow the suit of the first years." Flitwick gestured towards the stool and hat.
"Yes, professor." Serenity sat down on the stool and placed the hat upon her head.
"Ahh, a bit older than I'm use to. Seventh year? My my my. You have enough knowledge to be placed in Ravenclaw. You could do well in that house. Ahh I see you have friends in Gryffindor. Perhaps you'd like to join them. But this interest in Slytherin. You certainly don't like to make up your mind, do you? No, well I'll have to do it for you." The hat stopped talking and there was a moment of silence before it opened it's slitted mouth and rang out "Gryffindor!" Cheers rang out through the hall. Serenity smiled, slid off the stool and walked over to sit down in between Harry and a boy who introduced himself as Dean Thomas. She looked up and noticed the eye of a certain blonde Slytherin. He looked at her for a moment, completely devoid of emotion, before turning back to see where the new boy would be placed. Both of the boys from Arcana were placed in Hufflepuff, one in fifth years and the other in third.
The feast started and finished quickly. When everyone had slowed down and the plates disappeared, Professor McGonagall stood up to give the expected welcoming speech.
"Welcome to our new students and welcome back for all of our older ones. I stand before you as your new Headmistress. A great man should be standing here instead of me; however, he has fallen due to the dark times that surround us. I would just like to say that this year we will be taking some advice- she gestured to the sorting hat- from an old friend who we've been neglecting as of late. We are going to make an effort to form friendships between the four houses." She held up her hand as some murmurs of "what's she thinking" and blank looks filled the great hall. "Yes, yes I understand that some competition has been placed inside the school. I do not wish for that to disappear completely. I simply wish that we can become more understanding and tolerant of each other. We will try this through adding more classes to your schedules, so that you spend more time with other houses, having more social gatherings, etc. Now, with that out of the way, we can make all of the usual announcements." McGonagall then went on to tell the students Filch's rules, curfews, forbidden areas, and so on and so forth. "Now, to announce the new positions through out the school. Our new potions teacher, also from Arcana, is Professor Page. For Defence Against the Dark Arts we have Professor Emmeline Vance and teaching Transfiguration this year will be Professor Nymphadora Tonks, who will be joining us shortly. Professor Vance is the new head of Gryffindor and Professor Page will be head of Slytherin as well as Deputy Headmistress. Now it is late and classes start tomorrow. Off to bed with the lot of you. Prefects please lead the new students." The sound of benches being shoved back filled the hall and students walked heavily up to their dorm rooms.
"Tonks? Tonks is going to teach us! I can't believe it. Sure will be easier than McGonagall." Ron gasped out excitedly.
"Well she is quite suited for the job isn't she? Makes perfect sense to me." Ginny said to her brother.
"Not questioning her abilities, Gin, just her being a teacher in general."
"Well her class will be sure to have some laughs in it." Harry said to no one in particular.
"Come on Serenity, I'll show you our room." Hermione said to her before saying good night to the boys and Ginny.
"I best follow suit. See you guys in the morning." She waved bye to Harry and Ron. The boys went up to their room shortly after the girls departed.
"Do you think she'll be here tomorrow? I wonder where she is. Probably off doing something secret for the Order!" Ron said to Harry as they changed into their pyjamas.
"Quiet Ron, maybe she's with Lupin? I don't know. Yes, she'll be here tomorrow, McGonagall won't tolerate her missing the first day."
"Yeah true. Wonder if McGonagall will change anything from the way Dumbledore had it."
"I doubt it. What would there be to change?"
"True mate. Well, good night."
"Night." Harry rolled over, happy as he could be.
"Alright Serenity, that'd be your bed over there. We share the room with all the other 7th year girls, well at least the ones who's parents allowed them back this year. It looks like we're the first to bed. I'm sorry, but I'm extremely tired and must sleep soon otherwise I'll pass out wherever I am. Tomorrow at breakfast we'll get our schedules. We can all give you a grand tour tomorrow afternoon during a break. I'll see you in the morning! Good Night!" With that she climbed into her bed, having changed while talking, and fell instantly to sleep. It was great to be back amongst her friends.
"Thanks, Hermione. Nighty night." Serenity looked around the room. It wasn't that huge. Big enough to fit everyone's beds, their trunks, nightstands, and walking space. She wondered where the bathroom was, would have to remember to ask Hermione in the morning...She looked over at her trunk and changed into her pyjamas before climbing in the large and welcoming bed.
"Serenity! Serenity, wake up!" Hermione shouted at her as she got dressed. With a small grunt she rolled over and looked at her new friend. It took her a moment to realize where she was and who she was looking at. With a sudden click it all came back to her, being at the new school with her new friends. She slowly sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes to make them come into focus.
"What's the matter, Hermione?" She asked in a groggy voice.
"Nothing, it's just that I'm going down to breakfast and thought you'd like to join me. Besides, breakfast won't be served much longer. There's some water on your nightstand if you want any. I'm going to run and brush my teeth; I'll be back in a few minutes."
"Mmkay..." Serenity slid off her bed and drank some of the pre-mentioned water. With a sigh she realized Hermione was a morning person. "Don't know how that'll work out..." she said to herself. After another minute of waking up she walked over to her trunk and pulled out some clothes and the new robes with the Hogwarts logo on them. She ran her fingers over them for a moment, taking in the new circumstances. She was putting on her shoes as Hermione came back in. She looked up and smiled at her.
"Well the boys are downstairs waiting for us, are you ready to go?" She smiled back at Serenity.
"Yeah, should I bring my books...or what?"
"No, just leave them here. Don't know what you'll have today. Don't worry, you'll have time to come up and get them again after you get your schedule. Teachers don't really mind if you're late on the first day, especially if you're new."
"Okay, shall we go?" With a nod from Hermione, the two girls walked out of the room and joined Harry and Ron in the common room.
"Morning." She said to the boys who smiled with sympathy, knowing full well how Hermione was in the mornings.
Ginny came down right before they walked out of the portrait hole. The five of them walked down to the Great Hall together. Harry and Ron talking excitedly about the upcoming Quidditch season while the girls talked about their new teachers.
"Don't worry; most of the teachers here are great. Especially since Snape uhhm...well...left." Ginny said quietly, making sure as to not catch Harry's attention.
"Well that's great. You guys will love Professor Page! She's great. One of my favourites from Arcana. Too bad only she came..."
"Yeah, well, there weren't too many job openings. Especially since most people are too scared to take on Defence Against the Dark Arts, it's cursed you know." Hermione stated.
"What? How is it cursed?" For the rest of the way down to the Great Hall and half way through breakfast the rest of them gave her the stories about their previous DADA teachers.
"Oh how I wish Lupin could return!" Ginny said sadly.
"Don't we all. I ca-" Harry stopped suddenly realizing Serenity wouldn't know about the Order of the Phoenix, let alone be allowed to hear about it's members and their jobs. Ginny quickly picked up where he left off.
"Oh, here comes Professor Vance with our schedules." The group turned their attention on their new Head of House and forgot about Harry's slip up.
"Ahh Ms. Granger, yes McGonagall told me about you, my dear. Well let's see, what did you request? Quite a full schedule you have, is that okay?" The professor raised her eyes to meet Hermione's.
"Of course!" She answered in an offended voice.
"Very well, here you go, all approved." She handed Hermione her schedule and turned towards Serenity.
"Now how about you, dear? What did you wish to take this year? Yes, I see. Well these two are not offered here, special to Arcana. Why don't you see what your friends will be taking and I'll come back in a minute." She said sweetly to Serenity.
"Okay, professor." Serenity said before turning to look across the table at Ron and Harry.
"What will it be?"
"Well all the normal classes. Potions, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Herbology and Charms." Harry told her, counting off the classes on his fingers.
"No History?" She asked with a puzzled look on her face. That was the most important class to Arcana's headmaster.
"History of Magic? Heavens no, we gave that up last year. Rarely managed a class where I didn't fall asleep half way through, at least." Harry snorted in reply. Ron nodding at his side.
"Oh, well okay."
"You can take it if you want. It is offered, just make sure you're good at taking notes and can stay awake through anything." Ron told her quickly.
"Professor Binns isn't that bad!" Exasperated Hermione.
"Come on Hermione, if it wasn't for your super human studying abilities none of us would have passed." Harry stated and shot her a knowing look.
"Alright, well it's up to you Serenity." Hermione told the girl sitting next to her.
"I don't think I will be. Six years is quite enough for me." She smiled at the boys sitting across the table from her.
"So, will you be joining us in our classes? Or are you going to take some other ones with Hermione? Also have Ancient Runes, Care of Magical Creatures -no one in 7th year Gryffindor will take it, mind you-, and there's also...Arithmancy." Harry told her, trying to think of the other subjects they could take.
"Yeah, I think I've decided. Professor! Professor Vance!" Serenity shouted out to get her attention.
"So, what will it be this year, Serenity?" Professor Vance asked her as she sat down beside her.
"I'll be taking Potions, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms, Herbology, and Ancient Runes."
"No History this year?"
"I'm afraid not."
"Professor Grevholm would be sad at the news."
"May I pray he never finds out then."
"Yes, well here you go. See you in Potions tomorrow!" She handed Serenity her schedule before moving down the table to help the other Gryffindors. She finally got to Ron and Harry. They signed up for all the same classes as Serenity, minus Ancient Runes. A few minutes later the four of them headed off to get their bags and then to their first lesson of the year, Defence Against the Dark Arts. Harry, Ron and Hermione leading Serenity to the classroom, showing her all the quirks of Hogwart's passageways.
AN:
I hate writing boring chapters, I try and make them longer to make up for it. It is essential, however. Now that this one is out of the way I can start working the plot in and yeah.
Next Chapter:
- Classes with the new professors: Tonks, Vance, and Page.
- Serenity starts to get to know the other students.
- McGonagall puts the "inter-house bonding experiences" into action.
Just like to say that if you're going to review, at least read the story before hand. Don't just skim over it quickly and read what's underlined. Why waste the time on it(and sound stupid...)?
Thanks to those who reviewed. .