"Is it rude for me to say you're slightly odd," Ginny mused as she sat with Aimee on the sofa in the Gryffindor common room, they both had their feet pulled up onto the soft cushions, facing inward and each other. "There's something about you."

Aimee smiled, she nodded her head and said nothing, she didn't feel like lying to Ginny, she seemed so sincere, and Aimee was enjoying her company. She looked at the redheaded girl, her hair was down a bright mane of copper red, it was beautiful in the light of the fire that was to the side of them, sending an golden orange glow over half of her face. She had peaches and cream skin, perfectly broken by freckles that went across her nose and cheeks, with lips that were the lightest shade of rose pink. She was so beautiful it would be easy to believe she was girly and perhaps somewhat of a pushover, however after only a few moments conversation with her Aimee knew that was not Ginny at all.

"Seamus has been staring at you over the top of Quidditch Through the Ages for about an hour now, and hasn't turned a single page in that time… Seamus loves quidditch too," Ginny informed Aimee with a look of amusement. "And Cormac McLaggen has been walking behind me repeatedly attempting to catch your attention; I swear I've never known anyone so interested in looking out of the window every two minutes."

Ginny looked over her shoulder, just in time to see Cormac move towards the window once more, looking at Aimee through the corner of his eye. Ginny snorted as she attempted to stop herself laughing out loud, causing Aimee to giggle with amusement.

"You know what Ginny, I think you and I are gonna have a good year."

"You alright Seamus, you look slightly putout?" Harry asked that night as Seamus walked into the room, his face thoughtful as she trudged over to his bed and threw a book onto it, he looked rather dejected.

"Yeah, fine," Seamus answered, it was evident that he wasn't, Harry looked to Ron who shrugged his shoulders. "What do you think of Cormac?"

"McLaggen?" Harry asked, Seamus nodded. "I dunno, he's a bit of a arse really, cocky and that."

"He's a great quidditch player though… Oliver liked him… He used to hang out with him when they weren't practising… The only reason he never made the team was because Oliver was the captain and keeper…" Seamus murmured, Dean Thomas shook his head at his friend as he settled on his own bed. "Maybe he's too older for her."

Ron looked very confused now; he really had no idea what Seamus was on about. Harry however was beginning to catch on.

"You mean Aimee?" Harry asked, he grinned to Dean who nodded rolling his eyes. A few lads had taken quite a keen interest in the new girl, and Harry could not lie that she was very pretty and could easily see the attraction. However there was something about her that Harry simply could not place, something that made her quite… confusing to him.

Hermione seemed quite aware of her as well, she seemed pleasant enough for sure, and Aimee clearly was getting one well with Ginny, who was usually a good judge of character. Just he and Hermione were not so sure.

"So what does a young, single and ready to mingle Hogwarts student do around here anyway?" Aimee asked as she sat with Ginny for lunch the next day, they were both dressed in their school robes, but had taken some liberties with it, such as skirt length.

It was their last day of freedom, before classes begun the next day, so Aimee grabbed a roll and encouraged Ginny to sit and soak up the last of the summer sun. It was cool outside as they found a spot on the grass they liked the look of; it was over looking the lake, down the hillside that lead to the castle.

"There's not a whole lot actually…" Ginny admitted as she pulled green grass from the ground, piling it up and looking a bit put out. She shrugged slightly and Aimee almost knew exactly what she was saying… They didn't seem to have much time for that, not when there was so much going on in another part of their lives. "It's not really the done thing, I mean some of the girls have gone out and gotten drunk in the room of requirements, or snuck into London or something with fake ID… What did you do in Salem?"

"Lots of different things, I have a feeling though that Hogwarts is going to be nothing like Salem," Aimee replied, and she knew it was true, the whole reason she was here would ensure that, as she thought it a beautiful barn owl swooped down before her, a letter held in its beak. She took the letter, stroking the beautiful creature before opening it up.

Aimee,

I would be most grateful if you would come t my office straight away, I apologise for taking time from your new friend.

Albus Dumbledore

Aimee scowled, tucking the letter into the back pocket of her jeans, standing up.

"I'm sorry Ginny, I gotta head off, see you in the common room later, don't know how long I will be," Aimee said smiling apologetically to her friend, walking back towards the castle.

She reached the familiar gargoyle and again moved up the stairs without having to say a word, however as she reached the polished oak door this time instead of the stillness that she was met with before, she was met with the sound of zealous talking. They stilled suddenly the door was pulled open before she had lifted her hand to knock.

Inside the room there was a bubbling of anxious energy, as around seven or so adults stood around, all eyes turned on her, a sense of expectancy fell as they each eyed her over.

"Well, com' on then," The man nearest said gruffly, his hand still holding the door open as he looked at her, he was strange in appearance mainly due to the fact that while he had one perfectly normal blue eye, framed in a severely scarred face, the other was a large glass eye, strapped in, which seemed to move independently. He was small by no means, large and muscled with a mangy matt of grey hair, he was old but it didn't seem to stop him from being powerful.

Aimee walked past him into the room, she was unsurprised by the group that had formed there, in fact she knew most of them, she looked towards the youngest, a woman not too much older than Aimee herself, she was pretty with a pale heart shaped face, framed with mousy brown hair that was currently pulled back. Aimee smiled to herself.

"A Metamorphmagus, interesting, helpful I suppose…" Aimee continued to look around the room, taking in each of the members that looked back at her, there were more in here than she had first assumed. She raised an eyebrow as her eyes fell on another man, this one as equally scarred as the man who had opened the door, though he was younger… He looked haggard and pale, but stood tall and firm. "And a werewolf, what interesting company you keep."

The man said nothing but seemed to smile, not taking insult from her words, knowing better than to believe she meant any malice. Aimee tipped her head down towards him, a sign of respect, before looking back to the young woman. "What an interesting mix you have growing…"

"Nothing slips past her does it?" The first man growled, he stepped forward, his metal foot clanking against the stone floor, it replaced the lower half of his leg that she assumed was lost in some battle or another.

"You know better than that Alastor, so please do tell, why have I been summoned?" Aimee asked, finally turned towards Albus who was once against sitting in the chair behind his desk, the high back peering above the point of his hat, he looked grand as he sat there, a small knowing smile on his face. "I assume it has something to do with your very persistent gang of followers."

"The Order of the Phoenix, you know them better than that Aimee, I expect a small amount of respect for what they do, I know you don't disagree with us," Albus said smoothly, looking over at her with bright eyes. "We thought it appropriate to introduce you to them, seeing as you'll be working very closely."

"I already know them."

"There's a distinct difference between reading us and knowing us," A voice spoke up to her side, Aimee looked towards the man that had spoken, he was gaunt but the same age as the werewolf, he had dark hair that was long, but perfectly shaped, he was aristocratic looking, features she knew well…

"Sirius Black, well haven't you risen above the ashes, you should be proud, but I can assure you I know more than you think… and if you just knew what I know about the rest of your life…"

"She's definitely the one, isn't she Albus," Laughed the werewolf, Aimee looked at him and smiled, and then she faltered, and looked away, his face fell, but he nodded, not commenting anymore on her behaviour. "It's ok."

"I know it's been a difficult journey for you Aimee, but this is why I sent you away," Albus told her with a deep sense of pain for this girl. He did not smile anymore as he looked at her; a sense of sincerity filled his suddenly aged face. "I thought it would be easier, but now things have come to a point where we are unable to go forward without your help."

"What if I don't want to? What if I say no? I'm just a girl, what can I do?" Aimee shot back, she wasn't angry at him, or even surprised, this was her life and it would always be so. She'd never escape it, and she'd never escape the reality of what would happen if she did attempt to do so.

"I won't make you Aimee, but can you live with that decision? And my I remind that while you are a girl, you are anything but just a girl."