A/N: just want to give a shout out to xXMizz Alec VolturiXx for being my first reviewer. Also thanks to the people who added my story to their favourites and added me to their alert list, it really means a lot :D. Now, on with the story!

Chapter Two

'Attention! Attention students!'

The Scottish drawl of Professor McGonagall resonated throughout the Great Hall. Even without shouting, McGonagall's voice held an authority to it that could not be ignored, and so the handful of students that were seated at the house tables, stopped their chatter and turned their attention to the staff table, where McGonagall was sitting in the heads chair.

As silence fell in the Great Hall, the Headmistress began her speech.

'Now that I have your undivided attention, I am sure you would appreciate me adding some clarity to the matter at hand. All of you sitting here today are now to be known as eighth years. As I am sure you are all aware, Hogwarts along with the Ministry have decided to extend this highly unusual offer to you, in the light of the events of last year. And I must say how pleasantly surprised at how many of you have decided to accept the offer, and return to Hogwarts in order to complete your learning.'

At that, a polite round of applause sounded from the staff table, and the students found themselves looking around, noting all the familiar faces of their peers, but also regretting not seeing those people who had chosen to reject the invitation to return to school. On the whole, it was safe to say that the majority of the year had returned, although there was a distinct lack of Slytherins. However to the shock of pretty much everyone, Draco Malfoy and his crew were amongst those few sitting at the far left table.

But for some, people like Susan Bones and Hannah Abbot, who had lost someone in the war, Hogwarts was just a painful reminder of that loss. And so unfortunately, the year wasn't complete, but it was by no means considerably depleted.

'You may also be wondering why we have asked for you to return here a week before the traditional start of term. Quite simply this is because, we as staff, wish to provide you with our undivided attention in order to help you settle in as quickly and smoothly as possible. However, you needn't worry about losing a week of your holidays; you will not start lessons until the 2nd of September as of usual.'

All the eighth years let out a cheer at the fact that they would be able to spend a week of their summer holidays in places like Hogsmede and Diagon Alley.

'As you all know from reading your letters,' McGonagall continued, 'the rules that would usually apply to you in your seventh year, do not apply now that you are all of age. It would be unfair to allow you participation in house clubs or any type of competitive activities, so I'm afraid to say that none of you may try out for your house Quidditch teams this year.'

At that there was a royal outcry from many of the students, protesting the unjust decision, saying that they deserved to be on the teams more then anyone. However the Headmistress held her ground, and also held up her hand and waited for silence to, once again, befall the students.

'This rule is set in stone, and there is no point in arguing with me about it. I shall not, change my mind!' McGonagall was heard loud and clear, and those protesting fell into a state of sulky contemplation.

'However, you will still be able to contribute to your house winning the House Cup at the end of the year. Your achievements and good behaviour will earn you points, and any misdeeds or rule breaking with get points taken away. This is a system that I am sure you are all quite familiar with.'

With that sentence, she looked directly at the Golden Trio, who were sitting at the Gryffindor table with innocent smiles plastered on their faces, acting as if they had no idea about what Professor McGonagall was talking about.

'Yes well, if any of you have any other enquires about the year ahead of you the feel free to ask. But not right now Ms Granger.'

Hermione's hand had immediately shot up, since there were about a million questions rushing through her head at that point, but at McGonagall's command, her arm began to slowly slink its way back to her side.

'Now, there is only one more thing that you all need to know, and that is that we have a new student joining us this year. She should be here any second now.'

Expectantly, everyone in the Great Hall turned their attention to the entrance. For about thirty seconds nothing happened, and some of the less patient people, Ron Weasley to say the least, started packing up and getting ready to go to the common rooms.

And then, it happened. The doors opened, and in walked the one person with the power to change everything and everyone.

The minute the doors opened, every fire in the hall seemed to fade until they were burning like embers. However, as this mysterious girl walked up the aisle towards the staff table, the fires flared up, as if greeting her, stretching out towards her. It was safe to say that she was, possibly, the most beautiful young woman many people had ever seen. She had jet black hair, cascading down her back in loose curls. Her complexion was as pale and smooth as marble, and her lips, so full and cherry red, made a stunning contrast. But it was her eyes, eyes that only those closest could see as she was walking. Eyes that were a stunning emerald green. Eyes that were, strangely, familiar.

As she passed you, everything seemed to move in slow motion until she was the only thing in focus, whilst everything else was a blur. She strode up to McGonagall and curtsied with the grace of royalty.

McGonagall, however, looked less then impressed.

'Good evening, Headmistress.' Her voice was soft and melodic, but also had a shyness about it that was rather reminiscent of someone else, someone in that very room.

'I thought you told me that you would wear your formal attire tonight, child.' McGonagall said in a strained stage whisper.

The girl simply looked down at her outfit and replied, 'I am sorry to disappoint you, Headmistress; but this is my formal attire.'

She was impeccably well spoken, and seemed to always sound as if she were addressing the most important person in the world.

At the declaration that what she was wearing at that moment was in fact what she called 'formal', many of the students, mostly the hufflepuffs, could be heard to audibly gulp at what she was wearing. Really there was only one word to describe her outfit.

Tight.

She wore all black, although her cloak had a lining of what looked like gold silk. It seemed that she was wearing an all in one bodysuit, but upon closer inspection, the students could see that it was in fact simply an ensemble of extremely skin tight trousers and a t-shirt. Both were pattern less, and moved with her as if they were more of a second skin, rather then a hindrance some clothing can be. Around her waist was a contraption, the likes of which most of the students seated in the Great Hall would not have seen before.

To people like Harry and Hermione, however, recognised as the sort of belt that might have been worn in old Western movies, or in films like James Bond, in which they would hold their gun. However, this one had been especially modified so the holster was shaped as a sheath for a wand, not a gun. Her wand, it seemed, was not the only tool kept around her waist either. The students could clearly see the hilts of two daggers protruding out of their holders on each of her hips. However, it was her boots that scared the hell out of most the students in the hall. All this combined with the knee high, leather boots with the killer heel that she was wearing, gave the impression that this was a young woman who knew perfectly well how to take care of herself.

Silence reined, as each of the students took this new girl in. The range of emotions being shown weren't that surprising. Most wore expressions of apprehension, curiosity or disdain. However, there were two individuals in the hall whose expressions did not match those of their peers. One of those was Draco Malfoy who, for once, had forgotten to portray that steely demeanour that he was so well known for.

The other unusual stare came from none other then Harry Potter, who was staring at her as if he had just seen a ghost. Because the resemblance between her, and a boy he knew exceedingly well, was astounding to say the least.

The woman at the front of the hall, however, seemed un-phased by all the staring, and simply kept her gaze straight ahead. Once or twice, during the heavy silence, her eyes strayed to Harry, and when they met, emeralds on emeralds, something flashed between them, some sort of recognition, but it was gone to fast for either of them to really take account of it.

Finally the silence was broken by McGonagall, who cleared her throat and took a step forward to call the attention to her, instead of the newest eighth year.

'This, everyone, is Alyssa Po…'

But before she could finish her sentence, Alyssa stepped forward as well, and gave McGonagall a look that clearly said that she did not want her full name disclosed at that point in time.

'This is Alyssa, and I know you will all give her a warm welcome. Right then,' McGonagall said, clearly as confused as everyone else, 'you are all dismissed; your belongings have already been taken to your dormitories as usual. I expect that you can all find your way to your respective common rooms by now.'

The hall filled with the tired and uneasy laughter of the majority of the eighth years. However, Harry and Malfoy had both stayed seated, and so of course those closest to them had stayed seated as well. Both boys had not taken their eyes off of Alyssa, and so both of them saw her motion to McGonagall and whisper something to her.

The Headmistress sighed, but nodded, and made her way towards Harry, at the Gryffindor table. Seeing the Headmistress move woke Malfoy from his trance, and he two began to move out of the hall. However, as he was walking towards the Entrance Hall, he felt a steady gaze on him the entire time. Malfoy pride however, would not allow him to turn his head and look for the culprit. So despite his burning curiosity he simply carried on walking. At the last moment, however, just as he, along with his friends, were about to turn towards the dungeons and the Slytherin common room, he turned his head and looked over his shoulder towards the front of the hall once more.

There, staring at him with unwavering eyes was the new girl, Alyssa. No matter how much he may have wanted to, Malfoy couldn't break that gaze, until she did. Slowly, Alyssa's eyes drifted over to look at Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini, who were waiting for Malfoy to join them. As Alyssa looked back at him, there was something else in her eyes, something that looked almost like recognition or regret. But as quickly as it had come, the moment passed, Alyssa made her way towards the Gryffindor table and Draco Malfoy made his way out of the Great Hall.