Disclaimer: Any and everything found in or in relation to the Harry Potter books written by JKR/ movies produced by WB has nothing to do with me, aside from making up a good deal of my life and inspiring this fanfic. I in no way take any credit for them nor make any profit by writing this fanfic, so please, don't sue.


Chapter Seven

"Rachel, Rachel you have to get up." Said Ginny, gently shaking her from slumber. Rachel looked at her through half closed eyes, "Mm?"

"You've overslept; the Order will be here in twenty minutes to get you." She said urgently.

"What?!" Rachel said sitting up in bed, all traces of weariness gone.

"You have to get ready, quick. Mums got breakfast made so just gather your things and come down." Ginny said leaving.

'Just great…' thought Rachel opening her trunk. She dug through and pulled out a pair of jeans and a sweater, she frowned. She'll stick out like a sore thumb, everyone else wears robes… She sighed. It'll have to do. She pulled on her clothes and slipped her worn sneakers on. Upon looking in the mirror for the first time in days, she realized how stressed out she looked. There were dark circles under her eyes, not very noticeable but dark enough for her to see, her hair was sticking up at odd angles and her expression seemed the same as the one she had worn when she pulled an all-nighter to finish a history project that was due the next day. She snatched up her hairbrush and fought her hair into a messy bun.

She grabbed the handle of the trunk after closing it and attempted to pick it up. After about a minute, she realized dragging it was her only option. Lugging it into and down the hall, she paused at the top of the stairs to catch her breath.

"Need some help?" asked Harry causing her to jump.

"Yeah, thanks." She said recovering from surprise.

He levitated the trunk and had it hover behind them as they descended the stairs. "I'll just leave it here." he said lowering it near the door. They walked into the kitchen to find Ginny, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Sirius seated at the table. "Oh. Good, dears, here's breakfast." Mrs. Weasley said waving her wand making two plates filled with food appear on the table. "Quickly now,"

Rachel woofed down her bacon and eggs as fast as she could without choking. Once she was done she sat nervously, watching everyone around her. Harry was pushing his food around on his plate, Ginny and Sirius were on their second helpings, and Mr. Weasley was reading a newspaper entitled The Daily Prophet; Mrs. Weasley had left to wake up the stragglers. She looked back to her empty plate then raised her head again, sighing. She drummed her fingers on the table a few times and stopped. 'Twenty minutes has never been this long...' she thought to herself and began tapping her foot impatiently.

"Sirius, here's something you might be interested in. Seems someone spotted you up in the Alps, competing in a snow angel contest." Smiled Mr. Weasley, showing him the article.

Sirius chuckled, "Guess I should be more careful next time."

At last a pop sounded in the other room but as soon as it did Rachel wished it hadn't. She shared a look with Harry; this was the last time they'd see each other for two weeks. "Rachel?" called Mrs. Weasley from the living room. She slowly stood along with Harry.

"Bye, Rachel." said Ginny with a small smile.

"Bye."

"See you during the holidays." Said Mr. Weasley setting down his newspaper.

"It was nice meeting you, Rachel." Said Sirius, smiling. She waved and followed Harry out of the kitchen.

Standing in the middle of the room was Mr. Lupin and a strict looking woman. "Rachel," said Lupin nodding his head. "This is Prof. McGonagall; she teaches Transfiguration at Hogwarts and is a member of the Order of the Phoenix."

"Nice to meet you." Rachel said with a polite smile.

"I assume you know why we're here, Miss Watts?" she asked.

"To take me to err," she searched for its name, "...to a magic school."

"About that professor," Harry said slowly hoping he caught her in a good mood, "Do you think that maybe I'd be able to go too? To show Rachel around and-"

"It's out of the question, Potter."

"But-"

"No buts Potter. We're on a strict schedule; you'll have to take this up with Dumbledore."

Harry sighed defeated and gave Rachel an 'it-was-worth-a-try' look. He probably would've had more luck with Dumbledore... She forced a smile, "In two weeks then," she said. He nodded, "In two weeks…"

"Alright now, Miss Watts, take a firm grip on my arm and we'll apparate." said McGonagall holding out an arm which Rachel awkwardly took. Lupin walked over to her trunk, and heaved it off the ground. "All set?" he asked. Rachel nodded and quickly looked to Harry who until locking eyes with her had a glum look on his face. He immediately pulled on an encouraging smile. And then the room went blank; a pull behind her naval caused her to close her eyes. Curiosity forced them open again and she wished she hadn't. What with the whirling landscapes and feeling of falling, she felt as if she'd bring up her breakfast. She also found it difficult to breath; the air pressed against her on all sides giving the feeling of being under water. And what came after that was panic. How long does this take? What if she ran out of air? What if-? And just as her anxiety reached its peak, she found herself on the ground outside of large metal gates some ways in front of a large castle; on either side of the entrance were stautes of winged boars.

Rachel slowly got to her feet; Lupin and McGonagall at her side. "Right this way," said McGonagall leading the way to a lone carriage. Lupin loaded her trunk and turned to her. "It was a pleasure seeing you again but now that I've seen you safely here, I afraid I must leave. Very busy day, today," he said shaking her hand. "Minerva," he gave the aged witch a knowing look then apparated away.

The two got into the carriage and it began moving. She heard the clop of hooves but there was nothing to suggest horses were pulling it, in fact, as she saw it the carriage was being pulled by itself. She was puzzled but didn't bother asking. It came to a halt in front of the towering castle. The way Harry had spoke of it, she had pictured it to be magnificent structure like something found in a children's fairy tale book or a dragon slaying knight's castle. But as she stood before it, she couldn't help but think it was capable of collapsing at any given moment. It looked that perhaps before, maybe two, three hundred years earlier it may have stood proud and majestic but the sign reading: DANGER, DO NOT ENTER, UNSAFE told her that those days were long past over.

McGonagall magicked the trunk at her side. She opened the large oak doors and the sight that met Rachel's eyes would be one that she'd never forget.

"Welcome to Hogwarts, Miss Watts."

The interior was nothing like the moldering ruins she had just seen; it was as if she had stepped into a completely different castle. Its stone walls and high ceilings gave it a majestic air, its countless windows shimmered as sunlight shown through them and every corridor was lined with portraits that moved and talked. Regrettably, Rachel didn't get the chance to closer examine them due to McGonagall's quick pace. The corridors flew by as she nearly ran to keep up with the professor. She'd have to sightsee on her own time.

Finally, after a few minutes of half-running/half-jogging, they stopped in front of a large statue of a gargoyle. McGonagall held up her hands and with a flicking motion, said, "Ice Mice." Then with a scrapping sound, the stone gargoyle sprang to life and moved aside, revealing a spiral staircase.

"The headmaster will see you now." Said the witch in an important tone.

Rachel hesitated for a moment, eyeing the staircase suspiciously. McGonagall shooed her along, growing impatient, and Rachel cautiously ascended the stairs. Once she climbed the last step, she came upon a small door. She stood awkwardly outside it, debating whether to knock or continue standing there like a timid child. Then just as she raised her hand, a voice from within rang out, "Come in, Miss Watts." Rachel took a deep breath and pushed open the door. It led to a circular room decorated with silver instruments and all sorts of little doodads. On each wall were many paintings of sleeping witches and wizards, all very old in age. The room had a few windows; one large one in the back displayed a tall range of mountains and to the side of that, a large field filled with odd rings. Next to the desk was a beautiful bird with reddish-gold feathers resting on a perch; it cooed to her in greeting.

"It seems Fawkes, here, has taken a liking to you." Smiled a man seated at the desk. He had long silvery hair and a beard to match, he wore long violet robes and his sparkling blue eyes peeked out from behind his half-moon spectacles. He stood, "Although you must know who I am by now, allow me to introduce myself properly. My name is Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Lemon drop?" he said offering a bowl of yellow candies. "Oh, no thank you." He shrugged and popped one into his mouth.

"Now, let's get down to business, shall we?" He said cheerfully stepping out from behind his desk. He walked over to a shelf and took down a tattered hat. "Well, first things first, lets get you sorted."

He conjured a chair in front of his desk with a wave of his hand. She took a seat and he plopped the hat on her head. She waited wondering what this was all about. She remained still but the hat didn't, it wriggled around as if trying to fit just right instead of falling over her eyes. "Hmm… well this something new…"said a croaky voice in her head. "I've never before been asked to sort a muggle…but I'm able nonetheless; students here are sorted by character not magical abilities."

Rachel remained silent. The hat is talking. She's going insane, this confirms it.

"You have your wits about you…and a strong sense of loyalty…hmm...better be… RAVENCLAW!" the hat mentally yelled at her causing her to hold her head and fall out of her chair.

"Excellent!" said Dumbledore clapping his hands together, not noticing her fall. She shakily stood up and handed the hat to him. "Now, are you aware of the classes you'll take?"

"Divination?"

He nodded, "Along with others. You'll receive a schedule sometime during the next few days. But for right now, I'll leave you to get situated; the Ravenclaw common room is located in the west tower- the password that'll grant you access is Gillyweed. Sir Cadogan, here, has volunteered to escort you to your dorms." He said gesturing to a painting. Inside was a once sleeping old wizard and a knight clad in armor. The knight bowed, "Greetings my lady, shall we be on our way?"

She looked to Dumbledore; he nodded smiling. "Your things will be in the girl's dorm, best enjoy it while it's still quiet. Oh, and dinner is at seven, I'll have someone fetch you."

"Thank you," Rachel said, not knowing what to say. She looked to the knight, "Let's go, then."

Sir Cadogan wasn't any better than McGonagall. He kept dashing from portrait to portrait, sometimes ending up corridors ahead of her. She heard the other portraits whisper and gossip, sometimes pointing to her and the occasional outburst from the residents of whatever painting the knight would barge into. At last, after losing and finding her guide, the knight forgetting the way, getting directions from a poltergeist, and getting correct directions from another portrait, they arrived at a door; next to it was a suit of armor holding a rather intimidating pike. "Well there you are, my lady. Our quest has come to an end. You may open the door now." said Sir Cadogan from across the hall's portrait of mountainside valley. She eyed the door, then the suit of armor, then the door again.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"Am I sure? Well of course I'm sure! I've lead you here, haven't I?" he questioned.

"Ok, ok, I was just making sure…" She stepped forward and suddenly found herself eye level with a spear. She froze and, barely breathing, backed away. "I thought you said it's safe to open it!"

"Well after you give the password, of course! Everyone knows that!"

She sighed angrily. She moved closer and then in what she hoped to be brave voice said, "Gillyweed."

The suit of armor returned to its normal stance, giving her entrance. With a glance back at Sir Cadogan, she reached for the door, letting out her breath when the suit didn't move. She didn't bother saying goodbye seeing as he nearly got her killed and dragged her across the school at least three times. After the door was firmly shut behind her, she was able to look at the common room; deep blue armchairs were scattered about with a few wooden tables at their sides, there was a fireplace extinguished of flames, a bookshelf that took up about a wall, and opposite the door was long stain-glass windows, on either side were stairs leading to the dorms.

Her things were already unpacked; clothes in her wardrobe, books neatly stacked on her bedside table and her wand was resting on her four-poster bed. It seemed she had the room to herself seeing as no other beds were present. She collapsed on her bed and closed her eyes, letting the colored sunlight stream through the stained window and bathe her in warmth. So much had happened to her, as if going out of the country wasn't enough. Listening to the far off singing of birds, she slowly drifted off…Then at some point, the sun didn't shine as brightly and the birds' twittering was replaced with the chirping of crickets. She slowly sat up and rubbed her eyes; she could've sworn it hadn't been that long. 'Oh no…' she thought. She looked at her watch; the little green numbers were all scrambled into some alien language. 'What if I'm-' then a grandfather clock rang out from the common room- she froze and counted off the chimes. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven -she held her breath- eight- "Damn!" Then the clock ticked off nine and ten just to further mock her. She hit her bed in frustration and headed out of her dorm.

On a long table, there was a tray of food and a letter attached; it was addressed to her- who else? She picked it up and read the long spidery script.

Miss Watts,

Be more careful in choosing when to acquire your beauty sleep, next time I won't be as gracious as to get you a plate.

Prof. Severus Snape

Talk about bad impressions, first she bites the poor man when he's trying to help her and now she leaves him waiting for god knows how long! He probably hates her by now. She sighed and put the letter aside. She dismally looked at her still hot plate, even though her appetite was gone, her stomach protested the denial of food; she hadn't eaten since breakfast. After she finished eating, she tucked the letter in her pants pocket and paced the room, unable to sleep.

She walked along the bookshelf, reading the titles. There were none she recognized. Choosing one at random, she went and sat by the long windows; they overlooked a huge lake and some cliffs. She spent more time staring out at the immense grounds than reading; she had only gotten up to the second page by the time her eyes grew too heavy to keep open…


AN: So, how'd you like it?? Let me know! Review!!!